Dividend comparison
VDE vs XOP: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Energy ETF and State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VDE vs XOP: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VDE is cheaper at 0.09% a year versus 0.35% for XOP. On $10,000 that is $26 a year less in fees.
- Income. VDE pays more income, yielding 2.16% over the last twelve months versus 1.56% for XOP. That is about $60 more a year on $10,000. VDE pays annual, XOP pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VDE returned 163.4% versus 108.1% for XOP, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $26,341 in VDE and $20,806 in XOP.
- Risk. XOP has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -35.0%, against -26.6% for VDE.
- Diversification. VDE holds 112 positions and XOP holds 51. The ten largest positions make up 86.4% of VDE and 28.6% of XOP.
- Overlap. 35% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 46 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. XOP grew its yearly payout 21.0% a year over the last 4 years, versus 5.1% for VDE.
- Size. VDE is the larger fund with $12.7 billion in assets, against $4.4 billion for XOP.
Bottom line: VDE fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. XOP fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | XOP State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.16% | 1.56% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $4.08 | $3.12 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.0519 on Sep 25, 2026 | $0.7575 on Sep 23, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 5.1% over 4 yrs | 21.0% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $189.18 | $200.05 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 1 year |
| Beta | -0.01 | -0.12 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -26.6% | -35.0% |
| Market cap | $12.70B | $3.29B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.35% |
| Assets under management | $12.70B | $4.36B |
| Number of holdings | 112 | 51 |
| Top 10 concentration | 86.4% | 28.6% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VDE
$17.98/mo
$216 /yr at 2.16% yield
XOP
$13.02/mo
$156 /yr at 1.56% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VDE pays annual; XOP pays quarterly.
| Year | VDE | XOP |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.9101 | $3.3049 |
| 2024 | $3.9225 | $3.2408 |
| 2023 | $3.9169 | $3.5946 |
| 2022 | $4.4260 | $3.3534 |
| 2021 | $3.2080 | $1.5412 |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $26,341 in VDE and $20,806 in XOP.
| Period | VDE | XOP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 4.92% | 5.37% |
| 3 months | 16.22% | 18.12% |
| Year to date | 50.24% | 60.50% |
| 1 year | 54.17% | 62.95% |
| 3 years | 59.44% | 42.30% |
| 5 years | 163.41% | 108.06% |
- VDE
- XOP
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VDE
- XOP
VDE vs XOP holdings overlap
35% overlap by weight, with 46 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | VDE weight | XOP weight |
|---|---|---|
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 4.46% | 3.06% |
| VLOValero Energy Corp | 4.45% | 2.88% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.94% | 2.88% |
| XOMExxonMobil Holdings Corp | 22.88% | 2.80% |
| EOGEOG Resources Inc | 2.85% | 2.77% |
| COPConocoPhillips | 5.87% | 2.75% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 14.42% | 2.71% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp | 1.99% | 2.68% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp | 1.58% | 2.64% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc | 1.32% | 2.59% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VDE112 holdings total
Quick verdict
VDE fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. XOP fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VDE vs XOP fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VDE or XOP better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VDE currently yields 2.16% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while XOP yields 1.56%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VDE and XOP?
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VDE or XOP?
VDE has the lower expense ratio. VDE charges 0.09% a year and XOP charges 0.35%, a difference of $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VDE or XOP?
Over the last 5 years, VDE has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VDE returned 163.4% and XOP returned 108.1%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VDE or XOP?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, XOP has been riskier: VDE fell as much as 26.6% and XOP as much as 35.0%. Their betas are -0.01 and -0.12.
How much do VDE and XOP overlap?
About 35% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 46 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are MPC, VLO, PSX. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VDE and XOP pay dividends?
VDE pays annual and XOP pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in VDE vs XOP generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VDE would generate roughly $17.98 per month ($216 annually). The same amount in XOP would produce about $13.02 per month ($156 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VDE and XOP?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VDE vs XOP with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VDE and XOP fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
Related comparisons
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.