VDE is down 10.5% this year. Vanguard recently lowered the fees on that ETF to 0.12%, putting it into a tie with the Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF (NYSEArca: FENY) as the least expensive energy ETF. [Vanguard Lowers Fees on 12 ETFs]
Despite the lackluster price action and gloomy technical prognostications, XLE has remained a fan favorite. Investors have poured $4.9 billion into XLE this year, roughly the combined inflows to the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLP) and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLV). Aided by $2.9 billion in fourth-quarter inflows, XLE is the tenth-best asset-gathering ETF on a year-to-date basis.
Energy Select Sector SPDR
Chart Courtesy: Julius de Kempenaer, StockCharts.com