VDE vs. XLEI

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI).

VDE and XLEI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VDE is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. It was launched on Sep 23, 2004. XLEI is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P Energy Select Sector. It was launched on Jul 29, 2025. Both VDE and XLEI are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VDE vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VDE vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	34.23%	3.92%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	18.64%	6.77%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 34.23% return, which is significantly higher than XLEI's 18.64% return.

VDE

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 6.05%
• YTD: 34.23%
• 6M: 36.66%
• 1Y: 32.62%
• 3Y*: 15.51%
• 5Y*: 23.51%
• 10Y*: 11.00%

XLEI

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 18.64%
• 6M: 23.94%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VDE vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

XLEI

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF

VDE

Vanguard Energy ETF

Return for Risk

VDE vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 60
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.96	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VDE	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	3.59	-3.31

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and XLEI is 0.94, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VDE vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, less than XLEI's 13.57% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.34%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	13.57%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VDE vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -5.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDE	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.20%	-5.31%	-68.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.02%	-2.43%	-2.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.06%	-0.95%	-19.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.61%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VDE	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.28%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.32%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.20%	11.71%	+13.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.53%	11.71%	+14.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.88%	11.71%	+18.17%