Energy ETFs VDE and EMLP Differ on Cost and Approach
View original at nasdaq.comEnergy ETFs VDE and EMLP Differ on Cost and Approach Key Points Vanguard Energy ETF offers a significantly lower expense ratio than First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Vanguard Energy ETF has outperformed on a 1-year total return basis but has experienced a deeper historical maximum drawdown First Tru…
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VDE may be favored by investors seeking traditional energy sector exposure at a reasonable cost; investors willing to pay higher fees may favor EMLP for its track record of delivering higher long-term returns
60% confidenceVanguard Energy ETF was not among the 10 best stocks identified by the Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team as of June 29, 2026
60% confidenceMotley Fool Stock Advisor's total average return is 892%, a market-crushing outperformance compared to 205% for the S&P 500
60% confidenceVDE has generated a 10-year total return of 133%, equating to a CAGR of 8.8%
60% confidenceBeta is calculated from five-year monthly returns relative to the S&P 500; VDE beta is 0.42 and EMLP beta is 0.56
60% confidenceBoth VDE and EMLP have substantially underperformed the S&P 500 index over the last decade; the S&P 500 generated total returns of 322% and a CAGR of 15.5%
60% confidenceVDE has outperformed EMLP on a 1-year total return basis (30.0% vs 21.4%) but has experienced a deeper maximum 5-year drawdown (-26.6% vs -14.6%)
60% confidenceEMLP is an actively managed fund focused on companies that generate at least half their revenue from energy infrastructure operations such as pipelines, storage tanks, and power transmission, which is why it carries higher costs
60% confidenceEMLP provides heavier exposure to utilities (54%) while VDE is almost entirely concentrated in the energy sector (approximately 99%)
60% confidenceEMLP has generated a 10-year total return of 165% with a CAGR of 10.3%
60% confidenceVDE is significantly more affordable than EMLP, with an expense ratio of 0.09% compared to 0.95% charged by First Trust
60% confidenceVDE's top holdings — ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips — are vertically integrated companies involved in every aspect of energy discovery and delivery, from exploration and recovery through transportation, refining, and consumer sales
60% confidence
Data points we hold from this source
| S&P 500 Index Fund · cagr 10yr | 15.5 percent |
| S&P 500 Index Fund · total return 10yr | 322 percent |