VTEL vs. DRLL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

VTEL (Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTEL is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VTEL returned 6.83% vs 37.23% for DRLL. Their -0.25 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. VTEL charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DRLL.

Performance

VTEL vs. DRLL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEL achieves a 0.86% return, which is significantly lower than DRLL's 29.95% return.

VTEL

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -2.07%
• 6M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.86%
• 1Y: 6.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.21%

DRLL

• 1D: -2.68%
• 1M: 8.84%
• 6M: 11.16%
• YTD: 29.95%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$478.10K	$507.89K	$528.94K
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	$4.69M	$4.85M	$3.61M

VTEL vs. DRLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.86%	6.61%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	29.95%	10.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VTEL and DRLL is -0.28, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2025	-0.25

Return for Risk

VTEL vs. DRLL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTEL

VTEL Risk / Return Rank: 66
VTEL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTEL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTEL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VTEL Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VTEL Martin Ratio Rank: 52

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 53
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTEL vs. DRLL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). 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.

	VTEL	DRLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.62	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	2.13	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.27	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.20	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	5.57	+1.40

VTEL vs. DRLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTEL Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the DRLL Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTEL and DRLL, 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

VTEL vs. DRLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEL drawdown since its inception was -3.22%, smaller than the maximum DRLL drawdown of -23.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEL and DRLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTEL	DRLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.22%	-23.73%	+20.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.22%	-16.99%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-9.02%	+6.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.63%	-8.14%	+7.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	6.71%	-5.73%

Volatility

VTEL vs. DRLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) is 1.23%, while Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that VTEL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTEL	DRLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	7.42%	-6.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.92%	18.67%	-15.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.67%	23.14%	-19.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.76%	23.82%	-20.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.76%	23.82%	-20.06%

VTEL vs. DRLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEL has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DRLL's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTEL vs. DRLL - Dividend Comparison

VTEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than DRLL's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.34%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.81%	2.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTEL and DRLL in my portfolio?

VTEL and DRLL have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTEL or DRLL?

DRLL has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to VTEL (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEL dropped -3.22% vs DRLL's -23.73%.

Which ETF is better, VTEL or DRLL?

On 1-year performance, DRLL leads with 37.23% vs 6.83% for VTEL. On fees, VTEL is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VTEL has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTEL or DRLL?

Over the 1-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 37.23% return vs 6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTEL or DRLL?

VTEL is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for DRLL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTEL or DRLL?

VTEL has the higher dividend yield at 3.81%, compared with 2.34% for DRLL.

What is the main difference between VTEL and DRLL?

VTEL is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while DRLL is Energy Equities. VTEL tracks S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VTEL and 0.41% for DRLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTEL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.62), 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.