VSVNX vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSVNX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both funds - VSVNX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Over the past 3 years, VSVNX returned 19.42%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for VDE. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSVNX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

VSVNX vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX) 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, VSVNX achieves a 11.35% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 32.48% return.

VSVNX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 3.54%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 6M: 12.10%
• 1Y: 26.98%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VDE

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -1.99%
• YTD: 32.48%
• 6M: 28.99%
• 1Y: 48.54%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 20.47%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

VSVNX vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VSVNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund	11.35%	21.43%	14.38%	20.45%	1.72%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.48%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	28.73%

Correlation

The correlation between VSVNX and VDE is -0.04, 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	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2022	0.31

The correlation between VSVNX and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.31 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VSVNX vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSVNX	VDE
Technology	27.3%	-
Financial Services	16.1%	-
Industrials	12.4%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Healthcare	8.3%	-
Communication Services	8.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	4.3%	99.5%
Basic Materials	4.3%	0.4%
Utilities	2.7%	-
Real Estate	2.5%	-

Return for Risk

VSVNX vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSVNX

VSVNX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VSVNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VSVNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VSVNX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VSVNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VSVNX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 71
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VSVNX vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX) 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.

	VSVNX	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.41	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.06	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.39	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	4.13	-1.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.64	12.11	+1.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSVNX vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSVNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSVNX 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

	VSVNX	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.41	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.32	0.28	+1.04

Drawdowns

VSVNX vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSVNX drawdown since its inception was -15.39%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSVNX and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSVNX	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.39%	-74.20%	+58.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-11.80%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.53%	-21.41%	+6.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.58%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-69.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-6.27%	+5.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-19.96%	+17.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	4.02%	-2.01%

Volatility

VSVNX vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX) is 3.48%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 7.99%. This indicates that VSVNX 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

	VSVNX	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	7.99%	-4.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.11%	16.27%	-7.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.43%	20.34%	-8.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.69%	26.40%	-12.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.69%	29.93%	-16.24%

VSVNX vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSVNX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSVNX vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

VSVNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than VDE's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.37%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%
VSVNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund	1.63%	1.82%	1.79%	1.57%	0.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSVNX and VDE in my portfolio?

VSVNX and VDE have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSVNX or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (7.99%) compared to VSVNX (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSVNX dropped -15.39% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.40), 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.