UNG vs VYM
United States Natural Gas Fund LP vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UNG or VYM?
Energy against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | UNG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.17% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $565M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 7 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -15.51% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -20.89% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -27.61% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -31.87% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 46.9% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,468 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 18, 2007 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.4 years).
UNG 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
UNG vs VYM Performance
United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UNG returned -20.89% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, UNG is down 15.51% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, UNG compounded at -27.61% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -31.87% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs -28.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UNG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 46.9% compared with 14.7% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UNG charges 1.17% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $117 vs $4 annually, a gap of $113 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UNG currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UNG and 603 in VYM, totalling 17.9% 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, UNG 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 UNG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 7 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UNG 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, UNG or VYM?
UNG has an expense ratio of 1.17% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $113 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UNG or VYM?
Over the past year UNG returned -20.89% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), UNG annualized -28.32% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UNG or VYM?
UNG has been the more volatile fund at 46.9% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM.
Should I hold both UNG and VYM?
UNG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.10, 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, UNG or VYM?
UNG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UNG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.