VDE vs. PPA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while PPA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the SPADE Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 9.47%/yr vs 17.28%/yr for PPA. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for PPA.

Performance

VDE vs. PPA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 31.33% return, which is significantly higher than PPA's 8.41% return. Over the past 10 years, VDE has underperformed PPA with an annualized return of 9.47%, while PPA has yielded a comparatively higher 17.28% annualized return.

VDE

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 31.33%
• 6M: 29.93%
• 1Y: 44.64%
• 3Y*: 16.98%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

PPA

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 1.28%
• YTD: 8.41%
• 6M: 11.71%
• 1Y: 25.14%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 17.94%
• 10Y*: 17.28%

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

VDE vs. PPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	31.33%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	8.41%	37.15%	25.28%	18.41%	9.52%	7.09%	0.45%	39.63%	-7.51%	30.10%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and PPA is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2005	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between VDE and PPA has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VDE vs. PPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDE	PPA
Energy	99.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Industrials	0.1%	90.6%
Communication Services	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	9.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VDE vs. PPA — 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: 76
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 66

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 40
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. PPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). 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	PPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	1.32	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	1.94	+0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.23	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	1.84	+1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.98	5.29	+5.69
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. PPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the PPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and PPA, 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	PPA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	1.32	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.97	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.84	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.66	-0.38

Drawdowns

VDE vs. PPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than PPA's maximum drawdown of -57.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and PPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDE	PPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.20%	-57.37%	-16.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.80%	-13.71%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-15.24%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-18.37%	-8.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.29%	-43.92%	-25.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.08%	-8.50%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-9.18%	-10.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.08%	4.76%	-0.68%

Volatility

VDE vs. PPA - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) have volatilities of 6.96% and 6.71%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VDE	PPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.96%	6.71%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.37%	16.11%	+0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.36%	19.23%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.42%	18.53%	+7.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.93%	20.66%	+9.27%

VDE vs. PPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PPA's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDE vs. PPA - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, more than PPA's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.39%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%
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

Can I hold both VDE and PPA in my portfolio?

VDE and PPA have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDE or PPA?

VDE has higher volatility (6.96%) compared to PPA (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs PPA's -57.37%.

Which ETF is better, VDE or PPA?

On 10-year performance, PPA leads with 17.28% vs 9.47% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, PPA has been the lower-risk option at 6.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDE or PPA?

Over the 10-year period, PPA has performed better with a 17.28% 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 PPA?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for PPA.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 0.39% for PPA.

What is the main difference between VDE and PPA?

VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while PPA is Aerospace & Defense. VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while PPA tracks SPADE Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.58% for PPA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.32), 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.