VTI vs. VDE

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market 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, VTI returned 14.63%/yr vs 10.12%/yr for VDE. Their 0.60 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

VTI vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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, VTI achieves a 10.49% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 35.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed VDE with an annualized return of 14.63%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively lower 10.12% annualized return.

VTI

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 8.77%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 1Y: 19.82%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.63%
• ALL TIME*: 9.58%

VDE

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 12.48%
• 6M: 18.28%
• YTD: 35.06%
• 1Y: 41.17%
• 3Y*: 14.78%
• 5Y*: 23.63%
• 10Y*: 10.12%
• ALL TIME*: 8.33%

*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)
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	$73.73M	$73.82M	$109.36M
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.06B	$1.16B	$1.24B

VTI vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.49%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	35.06%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and VDE is -0.11, 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.	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004	0.60

The correlation between VTI and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTI vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTI	VDE
Technology	36.1%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Industrials	10.2%	0.2%
Healthcare	9.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Communication Services	9.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	-
Energy	3.2%	77.0%
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Utilities	2.2%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.4%

Return for Risk

VTI vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 76
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VTI vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

	VTI	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.98	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.55	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.32	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	2.75	-0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.62	7.42	+2.20

VTI vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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.

Drawdowns

VTI vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-74.20%	+18.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-15.04%	+6.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-21.41%	+2.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-26.58%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-69.29%	+34.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-4.44%	+3.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.99%	-19.89%	+11.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	5.59%	-3.52%

Volatility

VTI vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 3.46%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 5.99%. This indicates that VTI 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

	VTI	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.46%	5.99%	-2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.24%	16.66%	-6.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.10%	20.95%	-7.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	26.14%	-8.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.30%	29.90%	-11.60%

VTI vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% 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

VTI vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than VDE's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.40%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.06%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and VDE in my portfolio?

VTI and VDE have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTI or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (5.99%) compared to VTI (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or VDE?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.63% vs 10.12% for VDE. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or VDE?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.63% return vs 10.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or VDE?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDE.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 1.06% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VTI and VDE?

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VDE is Energy Equities. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.09% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.52), 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.