VDE vs DIA: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Energy ETF against SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Sep 29, 2004 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VDE beat DIA?
No — measured from Sep 29, 2004 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DIA came out ahead: $83,661 versus $54,059 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.2% annual return against 8.1%.
What would $10,000 in VDE be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) on Sep 29, 2004 would be worth about $54,059 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 440.6% (8.1% per year). The same $10,000 in DIA would be worth $83,661.
Which was riskier — VDE or DIA?
VDE swung with an annualized volatility of 29.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -74.7%; DIA ran at 18.0% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.20 for VDE vs 0.46 for DIA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Sep 29, 2004 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VDE vs DIA. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.