PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VDE vs. IXC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VDE vs. IXC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index while IXC tracks the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 8.84%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for IXC. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXC.

Performance

VDE vs. IXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VDE having a 22.80% return and IXC slightly lower at 21.76%. Over the past 10 years, VDE has underperformed IXC with an annualized return of 8.84%, while IXC has yielded a comparatively higher 9.33% annualized return.

VDE

1D
1.27%
1M
-8.49%
YTD
22.80%
6M
24.09%
1Y
26.80%
3Y*
15.90%
5Y*
18.82%
10Y*
8.84%

IXC

1D
1.08%
1M
-9.08%
YTD
21.76%
6M
23.49%
1Y
28.26%
3Y*
16.21%
5Y*
17.91%
10Y*
9.33%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VDE vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		22.80%7.11%6.75%0.03%62.89%56.31%-33.02%9.28%-19.95%-2.50%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		21.76%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and IXC is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.98

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004

0.96

The correlation between VDE and IXC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

VDE vs. IXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VDE
IXC

Energy

99.5%
100.0%

Basic Materials

0.4%

-

Industrials

0.1%

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

VDE
99.5%
IXC
100.0%

Basic Materials

VDE
0.4%
IXC

-

Industrials

VDE
0.1%
IXC

-

Communication Services

VDE

-

IXC

-

Consumer Cyclical

VDE

-

IXC

-

Consumer Defensive

VDE

-

IXC

-

Financial Services

VDE

-

IXC

-

Healthcare

VDE

-

IXC

-

Real Estate

VDE

-

IXC

-

Technology

VDE

-

IXC

-

Utilities

VDE

-

IXC

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Energy ETF

iShares Global Energy ETF

Often compared with VDE:
VDE vs. XLEVDE vs. FENYVDE vs. VOOVDE vs. VGENXVDE vs. XOPVDE vs. VGTVDE vs. IYE
Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. XLEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. XDW0.DEIXC vs. PXE

Return for Risk

VDE vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VDE
VDE Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3737
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 3535
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 4747
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

VDEIXCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.29
1.48

-0.19

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.78
1.99

-0.21

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.25

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.90

2.13

-0.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.92

7.61

-1.69

VDE vs. IXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the IXC Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and IXC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VDE vs. IXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than IXC's maximum drawdown of -67.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and IXC.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VDEIXCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.20%

-67.88%

-6.32%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.20%

-13.31%

-0.89%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.41%

-19.06%

-2.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.58%

-24.93%

-1.65%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-69.29%

-64.16%

-5.13%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-13.11%

-12.37%

-0.74%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.94%

-17.46%

-2.48%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.57%

3.76%

+0.81%

Volatility

VDE vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 7.02% compared to iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) at 6.48%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VDEIXCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.02%

6.48%

+0.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.69%

15.81%

+0.88%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.84%

19.19%

+1.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.37%

23.48%

+2.89%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.96%

26.87%

+3.09%

VDE vs. IXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IXC's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDE vs. IXC - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than IXC's 3.12% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		3.12%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		2.56%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

With a correlation of 0.97, VDE and IXC 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.

VDE has higher volatility (7.02%) compared to IXC (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs IXC's -67.88%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 9.33% vs 8.84% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 9.33% return vs 8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 2.56% for VDE.

VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.40% for IXC.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.29), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VDE and IXC

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer