VDE vs VTI
Vanguard Energy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VDE or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VDE led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.1%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VDE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $12.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 114 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +41.78%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +46.58%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.06% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +25.02%Best | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.6% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.5% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $30,542Best | $17,249 |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.1% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2004 to Sep 16, 2026 (22 years).
VDE vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 22 years both funds cover.
VDE vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VDE returned +46.58% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, VDE is up 41.78% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, VDE compounded at +15.06% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +25.02% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.58% annualized vs +6.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VDE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.6% compared with 15.3% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -78.5% for VDE and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VDE charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VDE currently yields 2.24% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.0% of VDE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.5% of VTI's money is in holdings VDE also owns.
Most of VDE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
103 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in VDE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 114 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,098 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VDE (94.0% of the fund), and 5 for VDE that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VDE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 22.03% | 0.89% | 21.14% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 14.36% | 0.52% | 13.84% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 5.83% | 0.20% | 5.63% |
| VLOValero Energy | 3.76% | 0.13% | 3.63% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 3.75% | 0.13% | 3.62% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 3.42% | 0.12% | 3.30% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.36% | 0.12% | 3.24% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 3.19% | 0.11% | 3.08% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 2.97% | 0.10% | 2.87% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 2.46% | 0.08% | 2.38% |
99.0% of VDE is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VDE or VTI?
VDE has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VDE or VTI?
Over the past year VDE returned +46.58% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VDE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VDE annualized +6.95% vs +9.58% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VDE or VTI?
VDE has been the more volatile fund at 26.6% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VDE -78.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VDE and VTI?
VDE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VDE and VTI?
99.0% of VDE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.5% of VTI's is in holdings VDE also owns. They hold 103 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in VDE and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VDE or VTI?
VDE yields 2.24% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VDE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VDE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VDE led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.