VDE vs VTI: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Energy ETF against Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Sep 29, 2004 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VDE beat VTI?
No — measured from Sep 29, 2004 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VTI came out ahead: $102,471 versus $54,225 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.3% 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 $54,225 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 442.2% (8.1% per year). The same $10,000 in VTI would be worth $102,471.
Which was riskier — VDE or VTI?
VDE swung with an annualized volatility of 29.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -74.7%; VTI ran at 19.1% volatility with a -55.5% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.20 for VDE vs 0.49 for VTI.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Sep 29, 2004 through Jul 15, 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 VTI. 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.