PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VGELX vs. VEMAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGELX vs. VEMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGELX (Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares) and VEMAX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VGELX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VEMAX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VGELX returned 9.54%/yr vs 9.04%/yr for VEMAX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGELX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VEMAX.

Performance

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGELX achieves a 20.09% return, which is significantly higher than VEMAX's 13.97% return. Over the past 10 years, VGELX has outperformed VEMAX with an annualized return of 9.54%, while VEMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.04% annualized return.

VGELX

1D
1.24%
1M
-3.38%
YTD
20.09%
6M
18.16%
1Y
33.01%
3Y*
28.30%
5Y*
22.13%
10Y*
9.54%

VEMAX

1D
1.58%
1M
4.22%
YTD
13.97%
6M
15.57%
1Y
32.68%
3Y*
18.62%
5Y*
5.62%
10Y*
9.04%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VGELX
Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares		20.09%20.76%30.46%8.87%23.70%27.80%-30.80%13.32%-17.12%3.31%
VEMAX
Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares		13.97%24.76%11.34%8.82%-17.79%0.85%15.24%20.29%-14.59%31.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VGELX and VEMAX is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.05

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.28

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.39

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.48

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006

0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between VGELX and VEMAX has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VGELX
VEMAX

Energy

56.5%
4.6%

Utilities

40.8%
2.9%

Basic Materials

1.1%
8.0%

Financial Services

0.0%
19.5%

Real Estate

0.0%
2.2%

Communication Services

-

7.1%

Consumer Cyclical

-

10.7%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.7%

Healthcare

-

3.9%

Industrials

-

8.0%

Technology

-

29.6%

Energy

VGELX
56.5%
VEMAX
4.6%

Utilities

VGELX
40.8%
VEMAX
2.9%

Basic Materials

VGELX
1.1%
VEMAX
8.0%

Financial Services

VGELX
0.0%
VEMAX
19.5%

Real Estate

VGELX
0.0%
VEMAX
2.2%

Communication Services

VGELX

-

VEMAX
7.1%

Consumer Cyclical

VGELX

-

VEMAX
10.7%

Consumer Defensive

VGELX

-

VEMAX
3.7%

Healthcare

VGELX

-

VEMAX
3.9%

Industrials

VGELX

-

VEMAX
8.0%

Technology

VGELX

-

VEMAX
29.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VGELX:
VGELX vs. VGENXVGELX vs. VDEVGELX vs. VDEQXVGELX vs. XLEVGELX vs. BTEKVGELX vs. FDVVVGELX vs. QQQ
Often compared with VEMAX:
VEMAX vs. VWOVEMAX vs. VTMGXVEMAX vs. VFIAXVEMAX vs. FPADXVEMAX vs. FEMKXVEMAX vs. FSPSXVEMAX vs. VINEX

Return for Risk

VGELX vs. VEMAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGELX
VGELX Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
VGELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGELX Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
VGELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9595
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGELX Martin Ratio Rank: 9393
Martin Ratio Rank
VEMAX
VEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
VEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6262
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
VEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
VEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
VEMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5656
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VEMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). 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.

VGELXVEMAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.76
2.31

+0.45

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.76
3.18

+0.58

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.49

1.42

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.86

3.00

+2.86

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

20.18

11.18

+9.00

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. VEMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the VEMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGELX and VEMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

VGELXVEMAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.76

2.31

+0.45

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.19

0.37

+0.82

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.41

0.55

-0.14

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.35

0.30

+0.05

Drawdowns

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGELX drawdown since its inception was -65.22%, roughly equal to the maximum VEMAX drawdown of -66.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGELX and VEMAX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VGELXVEMAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.22%

-66.45%

+1.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.69%

-11.05%

+5.36%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.30%

-15.78%

+3.48%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.72%

-32.55%

+12.83%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-61.13%

-36.11%

-25.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.24%

0.00%

-4.24%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.15%

-16.12%

-3.03%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.65%

2.96%

-1.31%

Volatility

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) have volatilities of 4.91% and 5.01%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VGELXVEMAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.91%

5.01%

-0.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.17%

11.80%

-1.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.10%

14.31%

-2.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.72%

15.38%

+3.34%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.21%

16.46%

+6.75%

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGELX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMAX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGELX vs. VEMAX - Dividend Comparison

VGELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.20%, more than VEMAX's 2.34% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VEMAX
Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares		2.34%2.74%3.13%3.47%4.05%2.57%1.87%3.20%2.85%2.31%2.51%3.25%
VGELX
Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares		7.20%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

VGELX and VEMAX 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.

VEMAX has higher volatility (5.01%) compared to VGELX (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGELX dropped -65.22% vs VEMAX's -66.45%.

VGELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 2.31), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VGELX and VEMAX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer