VDE vs. VGENX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and VGENX (Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares) are both Energy Equities funds from Vanguard. VDE is passively managed, while VGENX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 8.90%/yr vs 9.08%/yr for VGENX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for VGENX.

Performance

VDE vs. VGENX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 23.55% return, which is significantly higher than VGENX's 16.60% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VDE having a 8.90% annualized return and VGENX not far ahead at 9.08%.

VDE

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -7.94%
• YTD: 23.55%
• 6M: 24.06%
• 1Y: 31.01%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 18.74%
• 10Y*: 8.90%

VGENX

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: -4.94%
• YTD: 16.60%
• 6M: 16.98%
• 1Y: 25.71%
• 3Y*: 26.91%
• 5Y*: 21.66%
• 10Y*: 9.08%

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

VDE vs. VGENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	23.55%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares	16.60%	20.67%	30.25%	8.78%	23.59%	27.71%	-30.85%	13.23%	-17.19%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and VGENX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004	0.94

The correlation between VDE and VGENX shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.94 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VDE vs. VGENX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDE	VGENX
Energy	99.5%	56.5%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.1%
Industrials	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	40.8%

Return for Risk

VDE vs. VGENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 43
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 43

VGENX

VGENX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VGENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VGENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VGENX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VGENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VGENX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. VGENX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). 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	VGENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.06	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.84	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.36	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	3.21	-1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.75	12.31	-5.56

VDE vs. VGENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the VGENX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and VGENX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VDE vs. VGENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than VGENX's maximum drawdown of -65.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and VGENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDE	VGENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.20%	-65.37%	-8.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.20%	-7.88%	-6.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-12.30%	-9.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-19.72%	-6.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.29%	-61.19%	-8.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.59%	-6.99%	-5.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.94%	-14.92%	-5.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.61%	2.05%	+2.56%

Volatility

VDE vs. VGENX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 7.06% compared to Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) at 3.92%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGENX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDE	VGENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.06%	3.92%	+3.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.61%	10.30%	+6.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.80%	12.32%	+8.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.37%	18.68%	+7.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.94%	23.17%	+6.77%

VDE vs. VGENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VGENX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDE vs. VGENX - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than VGENX's 7.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.54%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares	7.35%	4.71%	33.96%	6.83%	4.63%	3.63%	4.46%	3.30%	2.96%	2.96%	1.84%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDE and VGENX in my portfolio?

VDE and VGENX have a correlation of 0.78, 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 VGENX?

VDE has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to VGENX (3.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs VGENX's -65.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.51), 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.