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VDE vs. IXC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VDE vs. IXC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

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 10.12%/yr vs 10.52%/yr for IXC. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. 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.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VDE having a 35.06% return and IXC slightly lower at 34.71%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VDE having a 10.12% annualized return and IXC not far ahead at 10.52%.

VDE

1D
1.02%
1M
11.65%
6M
18.28%
YTD
35.06%
1Y
43.90%
3Y*
14.78%
5Y*
23.63%
10Y*
10.12%
ALL TIME*
8.33%

IXC

1D
0.63%
1M
13.16%
6M
19.17%
YTD
34.71%
1Y
45.16%
3Y*
16.60%
5Y*
22.34%
10Y*
10.52%
ALL TIME*
8.52%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IXC

iShares Global Energy ETF
$40.96M$62.51M$57.88M

VDE

Vanguard Energy ETF
$73.73M$73.82M$109.36M

VDE vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		35.06%7.11%6.75%0.03%62.89%56.31%-33.02%9.28%-19.95%-2.50%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		34.71%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 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.98

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

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

76.9%
99.5%

Basic Materials

0.4%

-

Industrials

0.3%

-

Utilities

0.1%
0.2%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Energy

VDE
76.9%
IXC
99.5%

Basic Materials

VDE
0.4%
IXC

-

Industrials

VDE
0.3%
IXC

-

Utilities

VDE
0.1%
IXC
0.2%

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

-

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. VOOIXC vs. PXE

Return for Risk

VDE vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VDE
VDE Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8585
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9090
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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
1.98
2.22

-0.24

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.55
2.83

-0.28

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.36

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.75

2.83

-0.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.42

8.78

-1.36

VDE vs. IXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the IXC Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. 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.

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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.

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Drawdown Indicators

VDEIXCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.20%

-67.88%

-6.32%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.04%

-15.36%

+0.32%

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

-4.44%

-3.05%

-1.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.89%

-17.42%

-2.47%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.59%

4.95%

+0.64%

Volatility

VDE vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) have volatilities of 5.99% and 6.07%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VDEIXCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.99%

6.07%

-0.08%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.66%

16.03%

+0.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.95%

19.61%

+1.34%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.14%

23.37%

+2.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.90%

26.82%

+3.08%

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 2.40%, less than IXC's 2.82% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.82%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		2.40%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.

IXC has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to VDE (5.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs IXC's -67.88%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 10.52% vs 10.12% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. 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 10.52% return vs 10.12%. 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 2.82%, compared with 2.40% 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 (2.22 vs 1.98), 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.

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