VDE vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 9.70%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VDE vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 32.24% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VDE has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.70%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

VDE

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: 32.24%
• 6M: 29.32%
• 1Y: 45.53%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 20.43%
• 10Y*: 9.70%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

VDE vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.24%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and SPY is -0.07, 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	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.59

The correlation between VDE and SPY shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.59 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VDE vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDE	SPY
Energy	99.5%	3.6%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.8%
Industrials	0.1%	7.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

VDE vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 64
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.38	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	3.24	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	3.16	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.42	14.72	-3.30
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	2.38	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.87	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.59	-0.31

Drawdowns

VDE vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDE	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.20%	-55.19%	-19.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.80%	-8.88%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-18.76%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-24.50%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.29%	-33.72%	-35.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.43%	-0.70%	-5.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-9.05%	-10.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.00%	1.91%	+2.09%

Volatility

VDE vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 7.99% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDE	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.99%	2.84%	+5.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.33%	8.90%	+7.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.38%	11.83%	+8.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.40%	17.05%	+9.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.93%	17.94%	+11.99%

VDE vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% 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. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.37%	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 SPY in my portfolio?

VDE and SPY have a correlation of -0.07, 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 SPY?

VDE has higher volatility (7.99%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, VDE or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 9.70% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDE or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 9.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDE or SPY?

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

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between VDE and SPY?

VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.25), 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.