UGA vs VYM
United States Gasoline Fund LP vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UGA or VYM?
Energy against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UGA led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $146M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +117.47%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +105.55%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.34%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +29.69%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.7% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.6% | -53.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $36,689Best | $17,845 |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 VYM 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 VYM Performance
United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UGA returned +105.55% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, UGA is up 117.47% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, UGA compounded at +23.34% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +29.69% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.69% 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 14.8% for VYM. 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 -53.6% for VYM. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $108 vs $4 annually, a gap of $104 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UGA currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UGA and 602 in VYM, totalling 33.0% and 99.5% 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 VYM 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 602 in VYM, against full books of 5 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UGA and VYM 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 VYM?
UGA has an expense ratio of 1.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $104 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UGA or VYM?
Over the past year UGA returned +105.55% vs +20.84% for VYM, so UGA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), UGA annualized +5.52% vs +7.69% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UGA or VYM?
UGA has been the more volatile fund at 36.7% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: UGA -86.6% vs VYM -53.6%.
Should I hold both UGA and VYM?
UGA and VYM 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 VYM?
UGA yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UGA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UGA led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.