UCO vs VTI
ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UCO or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UCO led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $460M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 9 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +175.30%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +129.46%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.24% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.00%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 65.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,153Best | $17,908 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 24, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (17.8 years).
UCO vs VTI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
UCO vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UCO returned +129.46% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, UCO is up 175.30% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, UCO compounded at +13.24% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +23.00% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.54% annualized vs -22.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 65.1% compared with 15.3% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UCO charges 0.95% per year while VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UCO and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 28.8% and 98.1% 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 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 9 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UCO and VTI 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 VTI?
UCO has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UCO or VTI?
Over the past year UCO returned +129.46% vs +16.08% for VTI, so UCO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), UCO annualized -22.89% vs +13.54% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UCO or VTI?
UCO has been the more volatile fund at 65.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI.
Should I hold both UCO and VTI?
UCO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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 VTI?
UCO yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UCO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UCO led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.