Vanguard ETFs are often known for their low costs and long-term stability, but not all of them get the attention they deserve. As investors look ahead to 2026, some lesser-known Vanguard funds are quietly positioned to benefit from key trends across energy, global markets, and mid-cap growth. Using TipRanks’ Best Vanguard ETFs tool, we identified three standout funds — Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE), Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO), and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS).
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Let’s take a look at these ETFs in detail.
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE)
The Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) offers investors low-cost, broad exposure to the U.S. energy sector. It tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index and has an expense ratio of 0.09%. The ETF has historically performed well when oil prices rise and can also help protect against inflation. VDE is often overlooked because it’s heavily tied to volatile oil and gas cycles, but it can deliver strong returns during energy price surges.
In terms of holdings, VDE holds stocks involved in oil and gas exploration, production, refining, equipment services, and midstream infrastructure. Its top 5 holdings are Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), Chevron (CVX), ConocoPhillips (COP), Williams Companies (WMB), and EOG Resources (EOG). Overall, VDE holds 108 stocks with total assets worth $9.96 billion.
Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO)
Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) tracks mid-sized U.S. companies. It offers exposure to firms that are bigger than small caps but still have strong growth potential compared to large-cap stocks. This ETF is often seen as a balance between stability and growth, making it a popular choice for long-term diversified investing. VO also has a low expense ratio of 0.03%.
VO is underrated because it sits in the middle zone between large-cap safety and small-cap growth, so it often gets less attention despite solid long-term performance.
Looking at its holdings, the VO ETF holds 292 stocks with total assets of $98.87 billion. Its top 3 holdings are Vertiv Holdings (VRT), Western Digital (WDC), and Howmet Aerospace (HWM).
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS)
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF provides broad exposure to international stock markets outside the U.S., including both developed and emerging markets. It holds thousands of stocks across large-, mid-, and small-cap companies, offering investors a diversified way to capture global growth. The ETF is known for its low costs and is often used by long-term investors seeking international diversification in their portfolios. VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05%.
VXUS is overlooked as investors tend to favor U.S. stocks, even though it provides broad global diversification and exposure to international growth markets.
In terms of holdings, VXUS ETF holds 3,744 stocks with total assets of $143.91 billion. Popular names include Nestle SA (NSRGF), SAP AG (SAP), and Royal Bank of Canada (RY).