VDE vs. XLEI

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index while XLEI tracks the S&P Energy Select Sector. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VDE returned 41.79% vs 34.09% for XLEI. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 32.88% return, which is significantly higher than XLEI's 23.25% return.

VDE

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 9.84%
• 6M: 15.00%
• YTD: 32.88%
• 1Y: 41.79%
• 3Y*: 14.18%
• 5Y*: 23.47%
• 10Y*: 9.60%
• ALL TIME*: 8.25%

XLEI

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 9.73%
• 6M: 14.00%
• YTD: 23.25%
• 1Y: 34.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	$78.09M	$74.66M	$108.47M
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$1.75M	$1.47M	$1.31M

VDE vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.88%	2.50%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	23.25%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and XLEI is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.94

The correlation between VDE and XLEI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VDE vs. XLEI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDE	XLEI
Energy	76.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Industrials	0.3%	-
Utilities	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	102.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

VDE vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 70
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 57

XLEI

XLEI Risk / Return Rank: 87
XLEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
XLEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XLEI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
XLEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
XLEI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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.

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	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.45	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	3.05	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	4.18	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.50	12.58	-5.08

VDE vs. XLEI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the XLEI Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and XLEI, 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. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -8.19%. 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%	-8.19%	-66.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.04%	-8.19%	-6.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	—	—
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	-5.98%	-1.05%	-4.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.88%	-1.83%	-18.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.59%	2.72%	+2.87%

Volatility

VDE vs. XLEI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 6.28% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) at 4.29%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLEI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDE	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.28%	4.29%	+1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.59%	11.29%	+5.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.89%	14.00%	+6.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.11%	14.02%	+12.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.91%	14.02%	+15.89%

VDE vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDE vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than XLEI's 20.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.44%	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	20.28%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDE and XLEI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VDE and XLEI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VDE or XLEI?

VDE has higher volatility (6.28%) compared to XLEI (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs XLEI's -8.19%.

Which ETF is better, VDE or XLEI?

On 1-year performance, VDE leads with 41.79% vs 34.09% for XLEI. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XLEI has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDE or XLEI?

Over the 1-year period, VDE has performed better with a 41.79% return vs 34.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDE or XLEI?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLEI.

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

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 20.28%, compared with 2.44% for VDE.

What is the main difference between VDE and XLEI?

VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while XLEI tracks S&P Energy Select Sector. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.35% for XLEI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLEI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.01), 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.