VDE vs. TPZ
VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and TPZ (Tortoise Electrification Infrastructure ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. VDE is passively managed, while TPZ is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 8.98%/yr vs 8.62%/yr for TPZ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for TPZ.
Performance
VDE vs. TPZ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 29.27% return, which is significantly higher than TPZ's 10.28% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VDE having a 8.98% annualized return and TPZ not far behind at 8.62%.
VDE
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- 3.78%
- 6M
- 21.26%
- YTD
- 29.27%
- 1Y
- 37.00%
- 3Y*
- 15.80%
- 5Y*
- 22.87%
- 10Y*
- 8.98%
TPZ
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 2.16%
- 6M
- 7.44%
- YTD
- 10.28%
- 1Y
- 13.35%
- 3Y*
- 25.21%
- 5Y*
- 18.00%
- 10Y*
- 8.62%
VDE vs. TPZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 29.27% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | -33.02% | 9.28% | -19.95% | -2.50% |
TPZ Tortoise Electrification Infrastructure ETF | 10.28% | 5.67% | 53.88% | 20.72% | 2.44% | 29.31% | -27.84% | 15.61% | -16.12% | -0.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDE and TPZ is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2009 | 0.53 |
Over the past year, the correlation between VDE and TPZ has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
VDE vs. TPZ — Risk / Return Rank
VDE
TPZ
VDE vs. TPZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Tortoise Electrification Infrastructure ETF (TPZ). 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 | TPZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.17 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.47 | 2.13 | +0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.72 | 4.70 | +2.01 |
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Drawdowns
VDE vs. TPZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, smaller than the maximum TPZ drawdown of -78.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and TPZ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDE | TPZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.20% | -78.17% | +3.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.04% | -6.29% | -8.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -17.78% | -3.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.58% | -17.78% | -8.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -69.29% | -77.04% | +7.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.54% | -2.59% | -5.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.91% | -11.88% | -8.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.52% | 2.84% | +2.68% |
Volatility
VDE vs. TPZ - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 6.04% compared to Tortoise Electrification Infrastructure ETF (TPZ) at 3.91%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TPZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDE | TPZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.04% | 3.91% | +2.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.57% | 10.78% | +5.79% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.84% | 13.76% | +7.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.25% | 17.69% | +8.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.91% | 27.70% | +2.21% |
VDE vs. TPZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than TPZ's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
VDE vs. TPZ - Dividend Comparison
VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, less than TPZ's 3.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TPZ Tortoise Electrification Infrastructure ETF | 3.69% | 3.99% | 5.88% | 8.99% | 9.52% | 4.77% | 8.80% | 8.84% | 9.41% | 7.28% | 6.88% | 9.68% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.51% | 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 TPZ have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDE has higher volatility (6.04%) compared to TPZ (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs TPZ's -78.17%.
On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 8.98% vs 8.62% for TPZ. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, TPZ has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. 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 8.98% return vs 8.62%. 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 0.85% for TPZ.
TPZ has the higher dividend yield at 3.69%, compared with 2.51% for VDE.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Tortoise. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.85% for TPZ.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 0.97), 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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