UGA vs VTI
United States Gasoline Fund LP vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UGA or VTI?
Energy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UGA led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 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 | UGA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $146M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 5 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +117.47%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +105.55%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.34%Best | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +29.69%Best | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.7% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.6% | -52.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $36,689Best | $17,474 |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 27, 2008 to Sep 4, 2026 (18.5 years).
UGA 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 covers the 18.5 years both funds cover.
UGA vs VTI Performance
United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UGA returned +105.55% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, UGA is up 117.47% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, UGA compounded at +23.34% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +29.69% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.14% annualized vs +5.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UGA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.7% compared with 16.1% for VTI. 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 -86.6% for UGA and -52.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UGA charges 1.08% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $108 vs $3 annually, a gap of $105 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UGA currently yields 0.00% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UGA and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 33.0% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, UGA as of Aug 19, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in UGA and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 5 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UGA 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, UGA or VTI?
UGA has an expense ratio of 1.08% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $105 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UGA or VTI?
Over the past year UGA returned +105.55% vs +20.00% for VTI, so UGA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), UGA annualized +5.52% vs +10.14% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UGA or VTI?
UGA has been the more volatile fund at 36.7% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UGA -86.6% vs VTI -52.6%.
Should I hold both UGA and VTI?
UGA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, UGA or VTI?
UGA yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UGA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UGA led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.