VOX vs. VDE
VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 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, VOX returned 8.42%/yr vs 8.90%/yr for VDE. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.
Performance
VOX vs. VDE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VOX achieves a -5.35% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 23.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VOX has underperformed VDE with an annualized return of 8.42%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively higher 8.90% annualized return.
VOX
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- -6.50%
- YTD
- -5.35%
- 6M
- -5.46%
- 1Y
- 12.86%
- 3Y*
- 21.81%
- 5Y*
- 6.02%
- 10Y*
- 8.42%
VDE
- 1D
- 0.60%
- 1M
- -7.94%
- YTD
- 23.55%
- 6M
- 24.06%
- 1Y
- 31.01%
- 3Y*
- 16.13%
- 5Y*
- 18.74%
- 10Y*
- 8.90%
VOX vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -5.35% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 44.81% | -38.85% | 13.83% | 29.12% | 28.03% | -16.75% | -5.50% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 23.55% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | -33.02% | 9.28% | -19.95% | -2.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between VOX and VDE is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004 | 0.44 |
The correlation between VOX and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VOX vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank
VOX
VDE
VOX vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) 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.
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.
| VOX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.78 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.25 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.95 | 2.19 | -1.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.37 | 6.75 | -3.38 |
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Drawdowns
VOX vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VOX drawdown since its inception was -57.18%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOX and VDE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VOX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.18% | -74.20% | +17.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.56% | -14.20% | +0.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.15% | -21.41% | +0.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.76% | -26.58% | -20.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.76% | -69.29% | +22.53% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.53% | -12.59% | +4.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.90% | -19.94% | +8.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.82% | 4.61% | -0.79% |
Volatility
VOX vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) is 5.44%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 7.06%. This indicates that VOX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VOX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.44% | 7.06% | -1.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.89% | 16.61% | -4.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.80% | 20.80% | -5.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.24% | 26.37% | -5.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.93% | 29.94% | -9.01% |
VOX vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VOX 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
VOX vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison
VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than VDE's 2.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.54% | 3.11% | 3.23% | 3.34% | 3.65% | 4.13% | 4.76% | 3.42% | 3.35% | 2.90% | 2.31% | 3.17% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 1.04% | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.03% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 0.73% | 0.90% | 2.77% | 3.83% | 2.67% | 3.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VOX and VDE have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDE has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to VOX (5.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOX dropped -57.18% vs VDE's -74.20%.
On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 8.90% vs 8.42% for VOX. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 5.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VDE has performed better with a 8.90% return vs 8.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOX and VDE have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.
VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 1.04% for VOX.
VOX is categorized as Communications Equities, while VDE is Energy Equities. VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 0.82), 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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