VDE vs. IEO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and IEO (iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index while IEO tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 9.47%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for IEO. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IEO.

Performance

VDE vs. IEO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 32.48% return, which is significantly lower than IEO's 34.23% return. Over the past 10 years, VDE has underperformed IEO with an annualized return of 9.47%, while IEO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.17% annualized return.

VDE

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -1.99%
• YTD: 32.48%
• 6M: 28.99%
• 1Y: 48.54%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 20.47%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

IEO

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -3.10%
• YTD: 34.23%
• 6M: 25.78%
• 1Y: 43.06%
• 3Y*: 16.29%
• 5Y*: 18.90%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VDE vs. IEO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.48%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%
IEO iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	34.23%	2.15%	-1.45%	3.57%	57.82%	75.57%	-32.77%	9.63%	-19.44%	0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and IEO is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.96

The correlation between VDE and IEO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VDE vs. IEO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDE	IEO
Energy	99.5%	99.3%
Basic Materials	0.4%	0.7%
Industrials	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VDE vs. IEO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 71
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 67

IEO

IEO Risk / Return Rank: 51
IEO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
IEO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IEO Omega Ratio Rank: 45
IEO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IEO Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VDE vs. IEO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VDE	IEO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	1.73	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	2.25	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.28	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.13	3.03	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.11	8.15	+3.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VDE vs. IEO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is higher than the IEO Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and IEO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VDE	IEO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	1.73	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.62	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.29	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.17	+0.11

Drawdowns

VDE vs. IEO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, smaller than the maximum IEO drawdown of -79.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and IEO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDE	IEO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.20%	-79.17%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.80%	-14.30%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-31.46%	+10.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-31.46%	+4.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.29%	-75.00%	+5.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.27%	-7.55%	+1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-26.27%	+6.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.02%	5.30%	-1.28%

Volatility

VDE vs. IEO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is 7.99%, while iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) has a volatility of 9.31%. This indicates that VDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDE	IEO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.99%	9.31%	-1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.27%	19.80%	-3.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.34%	25.11%	-4.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.40%	30.53%	-4.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.93%	34.99%	-5.06%

VDE vs. IEO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IEO's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDE vs. IEO - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than IEO's 1.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEO iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	1.97%	2.61%	2.63%	3.00%	3.77%	2.62%	3.17%	1.85%	1.67%	0.94%	0.98%	2.03%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.37%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDE and IEO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VDE and IEO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VDE or IEO?

IEO has higher volatility (9.31%) compared to VDE (7.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs IEO's -79.17%.

Which ETF is better, VDE or IEO?

On 10-year performance, IEO leads with 10.17% vs 9.47% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 7.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDE or IEO?

Over the 10-year period, IEO has performed better with a 10.17% return vs 9.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDE or IEO?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IEO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VDE or IEO?

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 1.97% for IEO.

What is the main difference between VDE and IEO?

VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while IEO tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.42% for IEO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.73), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.