UCO vs VOO
ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, UCO or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. UCO led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window.
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 | UCO | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $460M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 9 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +175.30%Best | +12.37% |
| 1Y Return | +129.46%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.24% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.00%Best | +13.49% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 64.4% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,153Best | $18,827 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 24, 2008 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
UCO vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
UCO vs VOO Performance
ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UCO returned +129.46% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, UCO is up 175.30% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, UCO compounded at +13.24% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +23.00% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs -20.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 64.4% compared with 14.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UCO charges 0.95% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UCO currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UCO and 494 in VOO, totalling 28.8% and 99.5% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in UCO and 494 in VOO, against full books of 9 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UCO and VOO 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, UCO or VOO?
UCO has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UCO or VOO?
Over the past year UCO returned +129.46% vs +16.61% for VOO, so UCO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), UCO annualized -20.91% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UCO or VOO?
UCO has been the more volatile fund at 64.4% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO.
Should I hold both UCO and VOO?
UCO and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, 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, UCO or VOO?
UCO yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than UCO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. UCO led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.