VGELX vs. VDIGX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VGELX (Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares) and VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - VGELX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VDIGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VGELX returned 9.40%/yr vs 12.27%/yr for VDIGX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGELX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VDIGX.

Performance

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGELX achieves a 18.62% return, which is significantly higher than VDIGX's 2.30% return. Over the past 10 years, VGELX has underperformed VDIGX with an annualized return of 9.40%, while VDIGX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.27% annualized return.

VGELX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -4.49%
• YTD: 18.62%
• 6M: 17.89%
• 1Y: 31.57%
• 3Y*: 27.77%
• 5Y*: 21.86%
• 10Y*: 9.40%

VDIGX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 2.30%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 8.29%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 9.77%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

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

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGELX Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares	18.62%	20.76%	30.46%	8.87%	23.70%	27.80%	-30.80%	13.32%	-17.12%	3.31%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	2.30%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VGELX and VDIGX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between VGELX and VDIGX has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGELX	VDIGX
Energy	56.5%	1.1%
Utilities	40.8%	0.5%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.6%
Financial Services	0.0%	20.1%
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	2.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.9%
Healthcare	-	16.1%
Industrials	-	14.9%
Technology	-	23.6%

Return for Risk

VGELX vs. VDIGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGELX

VGELX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VGELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VGELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VGELX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VGELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VGELX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VDIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VGELX	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	0.85	+1.89
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	1.30	+2.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.15	+0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.81	0.97	+4.84
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.33	3.73	+16.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is higher than the VDIGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGELX and VDIGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGELX	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	0.85	+1.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.17	0.71	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.78	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.62	-0.27

Drawdowns

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGELX drawdown since its inception was -65.22%, which is greater than VDIGX's maximum drawdown of -45.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGELX and VDIGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGELX	VDIGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.22%	-45.23%	-19.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.69%	-9.09%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.30%	-10.23%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-16.18%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.13%	-32.98%	-28.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.41%	-0.41%	-5.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.15%	-6.65%	-12.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	2.36%	-0.73%

Volatility

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) at 2.35%. This indicates that VGELX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDIGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGELX	VDIGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	2.35%	+2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	7.61%	+2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	10.08%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.72%	13.86%	+4.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.21%	15.70%	+7.51%

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGELX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VDIGX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGELX vs. VDIGX - Dividend Comparison

VGELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.28%, less than VDIGX's 24.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	24.00%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%
VGELX Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares	7.28%	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

Can I hold both VGELX and VDIGX in my portfolio?

VGELX and VDIGX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGELX or VDIGX?

VGELX has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to VDIGX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGELX dropped -65.22% vs VDIGX's -45.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 0.85), 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.