VDE vs. PHDG
VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and PHDG (Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while PHDG is a Equity Hedged fund tracking the S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 9.81%/yr vs 7.14%/yr for PHDG. Their 0.30 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for PHDG.
Performance
VDE vs. PHDG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 35.27% return, which is significantly higher than PHDG's 9.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VDE has outperformed PHDG with an annualized return of 9.81%, while PHDG has yielded a comparatively lower 7.14% annualized return.
VDE
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 10.29%
- 6M
- 22.82%
- YTD
- 35.27%
- 1Y
- 41.64%
- 3Y*
- 15.31%
- 5Y*
- 24.05%
- 10Y*
- 9.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.35%
PHDG
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- 6M
- 8.74%
- YTD
- 9.47%
- 1Y
- 14.71%
- 3Y*
- 8.21%
- 5Y*
- 4.01%
- 10Y*
- 7.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.56%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.28M | $774.65K | $908.35K | |
| $71.54M | $103.66M | $111.94M |
VDE vs. PHDG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 35.27% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | -33.02% | 9.28% | -19.95% | -2.50% |
PHDG Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF | 9.47% | 2.72% | 10.95% | 8.18% | -14.09% | 15.67% | 18.97% | 8.57% | -2.44% | 15.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDE and PHDG is -0.11, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.06 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2012 | 0.30 |
The correlation between VDE and PHDG shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VDE vs. PHDG — Risk / Return Rank
VDE
PHDG
VDE vs. PHDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF (PHDG). 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.
| VDE | PHDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.68 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.27 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | 2.38 | +0.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.34 | 7.41 | -0.07 |
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Drawdowns
VDE vs. PHDG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than PHDG's maximum drawdown of -17.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and PHDG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDE | PHDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.20% | -17.70% | -56.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.04% | -6.36% | -8.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -14.78% | -6.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.58% | -17.06% | -9.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -69.29% | -17.06% | -52.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.29% | -5.95% | +1.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -6.23% | -13.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.59% | 2.04% | +3.55% |
Volatility
VDE vs. PHDG - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 5.13% compared to Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF (PHDG) at 2.14%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PHDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDE | PHDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.13% | 2.14% | +2.99% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.34% | 9.37% | +6.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.76% | 11.41% | +9.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.14% | 11.37% | +14.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.90% | 12.10% | +17.80% |
VDE vs. PHDG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PHDG's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
VDE vs. PHDG - Dividend Comparison
VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, more than PHDG's 1.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PHDG Invesco S&P 500 Downside Hedged ETF | 1.70% | 2.10% | 1.94% | 1.93% | 1.35% | 0.44% | 0.63% | 1.80% | 1.56% | 1.83% | 2.29% | 1.64% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.39% | 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
VDE and PHDG have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDE has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to PHDG (2.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs PHDG's -17.70%.
On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 9.81% vs 7.14% for PHDG. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, PHDG has been the lower-risk option at 2.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VDE has performed better with a 9.81% return vs 7.14%. 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 0.39% for PHDG.
VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 1.70% for PHDG.
VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while PHDG is Equity Hedged. VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while PHDG tracks S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.39% for PHDG.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.33), 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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