VDEvsXLEETF Comparison
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Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) belong to the same industry segment: US Energy. VDE's top 3 sector exposures are Energy, Finance and Non-Energy Materials. In contrast, XLE's top sector exposures are Energy and Finance. VDE is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.09%, versus 0.08% for XLE. VDE is up 52.39% year-to-date (YTD) with +$742M in YTD flows. XLE performs better with 54.15% YTD performance, and +$3.04B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of VDE and XLE below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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VDE vs XLE performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/14/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VDE XLE | +4.42%+5.38% | +17.80%+19.41% | +52.39%+54.15% | +58.40%+61.05% | +62.94%+64.64% | +176.12%+182.15% |
| Flows | VDE XLE | +$24M-$57M | +$22M-$408M | +$742M+$3.04B | +$582M+$3.11B | -$739M-$8.62B | -$1.21B-$12.37B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | VDE XLE | +20.81%+20.68% | +21.73%+21.89% | +21.69%+21.61% | +25.90%+25.42% |
| Max drawdown | VDE XLE | -6.68%-6.24% | -15.05%-15.01% | -21.42%-20.14% | -26.53%-26.10% |
| Max drawdown duration | VDE XLE | 24d24d | 138d138d | 404d404d | 146d145d |
Trading data
VDE | XLE | |
Last sale 10/15/2026 at 1:30 PM | $185.49 | $66.56 |
| Previous close 10/14/2026 | $188.39 | $67.63 |
| Consolidated volume 10/14/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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VDE | XLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/15/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
VDE | XLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $185.49 | $66.56 |
| 1D performance | -1.54% | -1.58% |
| AuM | $11.40 B | $44.24 B |
| E/R | 0.09% | 0.08% |
Characteristics
VDE | XLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Vanguard | State Street Investment Management |
| Benchmark | MSCI US IMI Energy 25/50 Index | S&P Energy Select Sector Index |
| N° of holdings | 111 | 20 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | September 23, 2004 | December 16, 1998 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
VDE
USA
98.85%
Other
1.15%
XLE
USA
79.55%
Other
20.45%
Sectors
VDE
Energy
97.72%
Other
2.28%
XLE
Energy
78.3%
Other
21.7%
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Diversification
VDE
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
76.58%
XLE
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.31%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of August 31, 2026
VDE
ExxonMobil Holdings Corp.
21.82%
Chevron Corp.
14.03%
ConocoPhillips
5.99%
Marathon Petroleum Corp.
4.06%
Valero Energy Corp.
3.98%
Phillips 66
3.67%
SLB Ltd.
3.36%
The Williams Cos., Inc.
3.36%
EOG Resources, Inc.
2.89%
Baker Hughes Co.
2.31%
Targa Resources Corp.
2.31%
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
2.29%
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
2.25%
ONEOK, Inc.
2.23%
Devon Energy Corp.
2.02%
XLE
Chevron Corp.
14.92%
ConocoPhillips
6.24%
Marathon Petroleum Corp.
5.43%
Phillips 66
5.34%
Valero Energy Corp.
5.08%
SLB Ltd.
4.89%
EOG Resources, Inc.
4.14%
The Williams Cos., Inc.
3.78%
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
3.66%
Baker Hughes Co.
3.65%
Targa Resources Corp.
3.65%
ONEOK, Inc.
3.50%
Devon Energy Corp.
3.24%
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
2.53%
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
2.25%
Frequently asked questions about VDE and XLE
How have the VDE and XLE ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 14, 2026, VDE is up 52.39% year-to-date (YTD), while XLE has returned 54.15%. That puts XLE better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: VDE or XLE?
Year-to-date, the VDE ETF saw +$742M in flows, compared to +$3.04B for XLE.
Which ETF is more volatile: VDE or XLE?
Over the past year, VDE had a volatility of 21.73%, while XLE experienced 21.89%.
Which ETF is bigger: VDE or XLE?
As of October 14, 2026, VDE holds $11.40 B in assets under management (AUM), while XLE manages $44.24 B.
What sectors do the VDE and XLE ETFs invest in?
VDE leans toward sectors like Energy. Meanwhile, XLE focuses on Energy.
What are the top holdings of the VDE ETF and XLE ETF?
VDE top holdings include ExxonMobil Holdings Corp., Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips. XLE holds in its top three: Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips and Marathon Petroleum Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: VDE or XLE?
VDE holds 111 securities with 76.58% of its assets in the top 15. XLE has 20 securities and a top 15 weight of 72.31%.
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