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VEXRX vs. VGELX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VEXRX vs. VGELX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

VEXRX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares) and VGELX (Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VEXRX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VGELX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VEXRX returned 12.84%/yr vs 9.86%/yr for VGELX. Their 0.61 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VEXRX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for VGELX.

Performance

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEXRX achieves a 14.71% return, which is significantly lower than VGELX's 22.90% return. Over the past 10 years, VEXRX has outperformed VGELX with an annualized return of 12.84%, while VGELX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.86% annualized return.

VEXRX

1D
1.67%
1M
-2.76%
6M
10.60%
YTD
14.71%
1Y
25.54%
3Y*
14.34%
5Y*
6.23%
10Y*
12.84%
ALL TIME*
10.09%

VGELX

1D
0.65%
1M
5.58%
6M
13.69%
YTD
22.90%
1Y
32.82%
3Y*
25.70%
5Y*
23.85%
10Y*
9.86%
ALL TIME*
9.06%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

VEXRX

Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VGELX

Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares
$0.00$0.00$0.00

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VEXRX
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares		14.71%7.19%17.40%19.90%-23.23%16.07%31.51%31.42%-2.34%22.64%
VGELX
Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares		22.90%20.76%30.46%8.87%23.70%27.80%-30.80%13.32%-17.12%3.31%

Correlation

The correlation between VEXRX and VGELX is 0.05, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.05

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.32

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.43

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.51

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001

0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between VEXRX and VGELX has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VEXRX
VGELX

Industrials

21.9%

-

Technology

20.6%

-

Healthcare

17.5%

-

Consumer Cyclical

12.0%

-

Financial Services

11.2%
0.0%

Energy

4.5%
57.0%

Real Estate

3.0%
0.0%

Basic Materials

2.8%
1.1%

Consumer Defensive

2.7%

-

Communication Services

2.2%

-

Utilities

1.6%
41.9%

Industrials

VEXRX
21.9%
VGELX

-

Technology

VEXRX
20.6%
VGELX

-

Healthcare

VEXRX
17.5%
VGELX

-

Consumer Cyclical

VEXRX
12.0%
VGELX

-

Financial Services

VEXRX
11.2%
VGELX
0.0%

Energy

VEXRX
4.5%
VGELX
57.0%

Real Estate

VEXRX
3.0%
VGELX
0.0%

Basic Materials

VEXRX
2.8%
VGELX
1.1%

Consumer Defensive

VEXRX
2.7%
VGELX

-

Communication Services

VEXRX
2.2%
VGELX

-

Utilities

VEXRX
1.6%
VGELX
41.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VEXRX:
VEXRX vs. VSGAXVEXRX vs. VINIXVEXRX vs. VIEIXVEXRX vs. SPYVEXRX vs. VISVXVEXRX vs. DFFVXVEXRX vs. VFIAX
Often compared with VGELX:
VGELX vs. VGENXVGELX vs. VDEVGELX vs. VDEQXVGELX vs. BTEKVGELX vs. XLEVGELX vs. FDVVVGELX vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

VEXRX vs. VGELX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
VEXRX
VEXRX Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
VEXRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VEXRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4646
Sortino Ratio Rank
VEXRX Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
VEXRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
VEXRX Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
VGELX
VGELX Risk / Return Rank: 9191
Overall Rank
VGELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9595
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGELX Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
VGELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGELX Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). 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.

VEXRXVGELXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.21
2.51

-1.30

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.80
3.39

-1.59

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.43

-0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.15

3.71

-1.57

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.79

12.36

-4.58

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEXRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the VGELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEXRX and VGELX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXRX drawdown since its inception was -57.26%, smaller than the maximum VGELX drawdown of -65.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXRX and VGELX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VEXRXVGELXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-57.26%

-65.22%

+7.96%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.16%

-8.75%

-1.41%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.35%

-12.30%

-12.05%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-32.67%

-19.72%

-12.95%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.86%

-61.13%

+21.27%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.73%

-1.99%

-2.74%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.89%

-19.05%

+9.16%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.81%

2.62%

+0.19%

Volatility

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares (VEXRX) is 4.48%, while Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that VEXRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VEXRXVGELXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.48%

4.88%

-0.40%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.88%

10.80%

+3.08%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.00%

12.98%

+5.02%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.44%

18.68%

+2.76%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.80%

23.08%

-1.28%

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXRX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than VGELX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEXRX vs. VGELX - Dividend Comparison

VEXRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.57%, less than VGELX's 7.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VEXRX
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares		6.57%7.54%12.72%0.89%5.22%16.17%6.76%5.08%11.13%11.46%4.63%10.89%
VGELX
Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares		7.03%4.79%34.15%6.91%4.71%3.70%4.54%3.38%3.07%3.05%1.91%2.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

VEXRX and VGELX have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VGELX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to VEXRX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXRX dropped -57.26% vs VGELX's -65.22%.

VGELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.21), 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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