IVV vs USO
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs United States Oil Fund
Which is better, IVV or USO?
Large Cap Blend against Energy.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, USO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVV | USO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.86% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $1.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +13.23% | +122.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.38% | +100.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.67% | +23.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.13% | +24.19%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 37.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -98.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,531 | $29,542Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | USCF Investments |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Energy |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Apr 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2006 to Sep 24, 2026 (20.5 years).
IVV vs USO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 20.5 years both funds cover.
IVV vs USO Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and United States Oil Fund (USO) is an ETF from USCF Investments. Over the past year IVV returned +17.38% while USO returned +100.41%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.23% versus a gain of 122.00% for USO.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.67% per year against +23.97% for USO; over five years the annualized figures are +13.13% and +24.19% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.51% annualized vs -6.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.8% compared with 15.2% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for IVV and -98.2% for USO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while USO charges 0.86%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $86 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for USO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 1 in USO, totalling 99.3% and 8.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1 in USO, against full books of 508 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and USO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or USO?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while USO charges 0.86%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or USO?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.38% vs +100.41% for USO, so USO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), IVV annualized +9.51% vs -6.01% for USO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or USO?
USO has been the more volatile fund at 37.8% annualized versus 15.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs USO -98.2%.
Should I hold both IVV and USO?
IVV and USO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or USO?
IVV yields 1.06% while USO yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USO better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, USO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.