Fund Overview
The Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF Shares operates within the Equity Energy category and is managed by the Vanguard fund family. With total assets under management reaching $11.32B, this substantial figure indicates a significant scale that suggests the fund is widely utilized by investors seeking exposure to the energy sector. While specific holdings count data is not publicly disclosed in the provided metrics, the asset base implies a structure designed to track a broad index rather than a concentrated portfolio of a few stocks. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.1%, a figure that positions it as a low-cost option relative to many actively managed peers or funds with higher fee structures.
Performance Analysis
The current yield stands at 2.5%, providing a tangible income component that can be attractive to investors prioritizing cash flow generation from equity positions. Year-to-date performance has recorded a return of 25.2%, reflecting the fund's reaction to recent market conditions within the energy sector. Historical consistency is evidenced by the 3-year average return of 20.8% and the 5-year average return of 24.7%, which demonstrate sustained positive performance over multi-year periods. When comparing short-term and long-term figures, the YTD return of 25.2% slightly exceeds the 5-year average of 24.7%, suggesting a continued period of strong sector performance that aligns closely with longer-term trends. The expense ratio of 0.1% plays a critical role in enhancing net returns over time by minimizing the drag on performance, allowing a larger portion of the fund's gross gains to remain available to the shareholder.
Price & Risk Profile
The 52-week price range spans from a low of $103.07 to a high of $177.42, illustrating the significant price volatility inherent in energy sector equities over the last year. Based on the provided 52-week high and low, the current price sits in the upper portion of this range, indicating that the fund has traded closer to its peak value recently than to its floor. A specific beta value is not available in the current data set, so a direct numerical comparison of volatility relative to the broader market cannot be calculated with precision. Despite the absence of a beta metric, the wide spread between the $103.07 low and the $177.42 high summarizes a risk profile characterized by substantial price swings that require investors to tolerate significant short-term fluctuations. The combination of a high yield and these wide price ranges presents a distinct investment characteristic typical of cyclical energy assets.