Energy ETFs VDE and EMLP Differ on Cost and Approach

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) offer different approaches to energy sector investing. VDE provides low-cost, broad exposure to traditional oil and gas majors with a 0.09% expense ratio, while EMLP focuses on energy infrastructure and utilities with a higher 0.95% expense ratio. Over the past year, VDE returned 30.0% compared to EMLP's 21.4%, though both have underperformed the S&P 500 over the decade.