VDE ETF — Vanguard Energy ETF

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE)

Updated October 23, 2026.

VDE is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Its distribution rate is 2.18%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.11%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 92/100 (Safe). Total return is 570.2% over the past 22.1 years, 347.2 points behind SPY at 917.4%.

Vanguard Energy ETF is an index fund that tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, holding large, mid-size, and small U.S. energy sector companies in the same proportions as the index. The fund carries a low expense ratio and distributes quarterly at a modest current rate. It appeals to investors seeking broad exposure to the U.S. energy sector with minimal costs.

VDE performance versus SPY

As of Oct 23, 2026

Total return is 570.2% over the past 22.1 years, 347.2 points behind SPY at 917.4%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 57.7%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 15.0%.

VDE key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

92 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.01%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/23/2004

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

2.18%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.11%

Last close

$192.98 (as of 2026-10-23)

AUM

$11,665,365,743

Market cap

$6,759,182,848

Average volume

541,100

Dividend

$1.0519

Ex-dividend date

09/23/2026

Payment date

09/25/2026

Beta

-0.01

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.18%) has no calculation basis on file. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (2.11%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VDE risks and drawbacks

VDE's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 15.0%.

Who may consider VDE — and who may not

VDE may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VDE pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on VDE

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Tagged: Basket, Energy, Index, Oil.

Compare VDE

VDE vs similar funds:

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Frequently asked questions

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