VGELX vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VGELX (Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VGELX returned 8.88%/yr vs 9.29%/yr for XLE. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGELX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

VGELX vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGELX achieves a 15.54% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 22.58% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VGELX having a 8.88% annualized return and XLE not far ahead at 9.29%.

VGELX

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: -5.85%
• YTD: 15.54%
• 6M: 16.98%
• 1Y: 24.11%
• 3Y*: 25.59%
• 5Y*: 22.04%
• 10Y*: 8.88%

XLE

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: -8.47%
• YTD: 22.58%
• 6M: 23.97%
• 1Y: 26.32%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 18.90%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

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

VGELX vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGELX Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares	15.54%	20.76%	30.46%	8.87%	23.70%	27.80%	-30.80%	13.32%	-17.12%	3.31%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	22.58%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VGELX and XLE is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.94

The correlation between VGELX and XLE shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.94 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VGELX vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGELX	XLE
Energy	56.5%	100.0%
Utilities	40.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

VGELX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGELX

VGELX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VGELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VGELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VGELX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VGELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VGELX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 36
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 32
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	VGELX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.26	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	1.75	+1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.21	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	1.88	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.56	5.70	+6.86

VGELX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGELX and XLE, 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

VGELX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGELX drawdown since its inception was -65.22%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGELX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGELX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.22%	-71.26%	+6.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.86%	-14.05%	+6.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.30%	-20.14%	+7.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-26.04%	+6.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.13%	-66.81%	+5.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.86%	-12.96%	+5.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.11%	-17.97%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	4.66%	-2.66%

Volatility

VGELX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) is 3.79%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 7.06%. This indicates that VGELX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGELX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	7.06%	-3.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	16.89%	-6.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.25%	20.96%	-8.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.70%	25.98%	-7.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.18%	29.62%	-6.44%

VGELX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGELX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGELX vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

VGELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.48%, more than XLE's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGELX Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares	7.48%	4.79%	34.15%	6.91%	4.71%	3.70%	4.54%	3.38%	3.07%	3.05%	1.91%	2.70%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.47%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGELX and XLE in my portfolio?

VGELX and XLE have a correlation of 0.78, 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 XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to VGELX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGELX dropped -65.22% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.26), 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.