VHT vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.66%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for VDE. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

VHT vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -1.21% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 31.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VHT having a 9.66% annualized return and VDE not far behind at 9.47%.

VHT

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 5.33%
• YTD: -1.21%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 16.43%
• 3Y*: 7.21%
• 5Y*: 4.80%
• 10Y*: 9.66%

VDE

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 31.33%
• 6M: 29.93%
• 1Y: 44.64%
• 3Y*: 16.98%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

VHT vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-1.21%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	31.33%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and VDE is -0.02, 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	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.41

The correlation between VHT and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VHT vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHT	VDE
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Industrials	0.0%	0.1%
Technology	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	99.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VHT vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 34
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 71
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VHT vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). 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.

	VHT	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	2.21	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	2.83	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.35	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.59	3.80	-2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.95	10.98	-7.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHT vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is lower than the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and VDE, 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

	VHT	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	2.21	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.77	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.32	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.28	+0.29

Drawdowns

VHT vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHT	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.12%	-74.20%	+35.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-11.80%	+1.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.91%	-21.41%	+4.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.71%	-26.58%	+8.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.85%	-69.29%	+40.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-7.08%	+2.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-19.96%	+13.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.17%	4.08%	+0.09%

Volatility

VHT vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is 4.90%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 6.96%. This indicates that VHT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHT	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.90%	6.96%	-2.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	16.37%	-5.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	20.36%	-5.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	26.42%	-11.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.97%	29.93%	-12.96%

VHT vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VHT and VDE have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VHT vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, less than VDE's 2.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.39%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.66%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHT and VDE in my portfolio?

VHT and VDE have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VHT or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (6.96%) compared to VHT (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, VHT or VDE?

On 10-year performance, VHT leads with 9.66% vs 9.47% for VDE. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. On volatility, VHT has been the lower-risk option at 4.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VHT or VDE?

Over the 10-year period, VHT has performed better with a 9.66% return vs 9.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VHT or VDE?

VHT and VDE have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 1.66% for VHT.

What is the main difference between VHT and VDE?

VHT is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while VDE is Energy Equities. VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.13), 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.