XLP vs. VDE

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector 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, XLP returned 7.18%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for VDE. Their 0.36 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XLP charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

XLP vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) 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, XLP achieves a 9.67% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 35.27% return. Over the past 10 years, XLP has underperformed VDE with an annualized return of 7.18%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.81% annualized return.

XLP

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: 0.23%
• 6M: 2.75%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 1Y: 6.09%
• 3Y*: 6.34%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 7.18%
• ALL TIME*: 6.83%

VDE

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 10.29%
• 6M: 22.82%
• YTD: 35.27%
• 1Y: 41.64%
• 3Y*: 15.31%
• 5Y*: 24.05%
• 10Y*: 9.81%
• ALL TIME*: 8.35%

*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	$71.54M	$103.66M	$111.94M
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	$791.07M	$906.75M	$988.03M

XLP vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	9.67%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	35.27%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between XLP and VDE is 0.12, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004	0.36

Over the past year, the correlation between XLP and VDE has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.36, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLP vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLP	VDE
Consumer Defensive	98.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	77.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

XLP vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 20

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 75
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

XLP vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) 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.

	XLP	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	1.98	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.76	2.57	-1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.32	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	2.74	-2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.18	7.34	-6.16

XLP vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLP 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

XLP vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLP drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLP and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLP	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-74.20%	+38.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-15.04%	+5.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	-21.41%	+9.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.30%	-26.58%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.51%	-69.29%	+44.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.35%	-4.29%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.05%	-19.90%	+12.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.31%	5.59%	-0.28%

Volatility

XLP vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) has a higher volatility of 5.43% compared to Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) at 5.13%. This indicates that XLP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLP	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.43%	5.13%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	16.34%	-5.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.85%	20.76%	-6.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.54%	26.14%	-12.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.83%	29.90%	-15.07%

XLP vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLP 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

XLP vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

XLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more 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%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.61%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLP and VDE in my portfolio?

XLP and VDE have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLP or VDE?

XLP has higher volatility (5.43%) compared to VDE (5.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLP dropped -35.90% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, XLP or VDE?

On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 9.81% vs 7.18% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 5.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLP or VDE?

Over the 10-year period, VDE has performed better with a 9.81% return vs 7.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLP or VDE?

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDE.

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

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 2.39% for VDE.

What is the main difference between XLP and VDE?

XLP is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while VDE is Energy Equities. XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLP and 0.09% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.45), 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.