VDE vs. SGOL
VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 9.81%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for SGOL. Their 0.11 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
VDE vs. SGOL - 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 SGOL's -6.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VDE has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 9.81%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.62% 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%
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.65%
- 6M
- -18.71%
- YTD
- -6.06%
- 1Y
- 21.20%
- 3Y*
- 27.11%
- 5Y*
- 17.42%
- 10Y*
- 11.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.34%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $79.87M | $79.24M | $102.39M | |
| $71.54M | $103.66M | $111.94M |
VDE vs. SGOL - 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% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -6.06% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDE and SGOL is 0.00, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2009 | 0.11 |
The correlation between VDE and SGOL shifts across timeframes, from 0.00 (1 year) to 0.13 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VDE vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
VDE
SGOL
VDE vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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 | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.15 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | 0.77 | +1.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.34 | 1.73 | +5.62 |
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Drawdowns
VDE vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than SGOL's maximum drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDE | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.20% | -45.51% | -28.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.04% | -26.32% | +11.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -26.32% | +4.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.58% | -26.32% | -0.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -69.29% | -26.32% | -42.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.29% | -24.94% | +20.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -18.45% | -1.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.59% | 11.64% | -6.05% |
Volatility
VDE vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is 5.13%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 6.07%. This indicates that VDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDE | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.13% | 6.07% | -0.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.34% | 23.69% | -7.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.76% | 27.79% | -7.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.14% | 18.34% | +7.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.90% | 16.08% | +13.82% |
VDE vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VDE vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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 SGOL have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SGOL has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to VDE (5.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 11.62% vs 9.81% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 5.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 11.62% return vs 9.81%. 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 0.17% for SGOL.
VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while SGOL is Gold. VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.17% for SGOL.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.73), 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.
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