UNL vs VTI
United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UNL or VTI?
Energy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | UNL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 16 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -19.13% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -24.17% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -19.40% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -15.67% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.7% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -89.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,265 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2009 to Sep 11, 2026 (16.8 years).
UNL 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 16.8 years both funds cover.
UNL vs VTI Performance
United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund (UNL) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UNL returned -24.17% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, UNL is down 19.13% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, UNL compounded at -19.40% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -15.67% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.51% annualized vs -11.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UNL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.7% compared with 14.8% 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 -89.8% for UNL and -35.0% 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 0.04. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UNL charges 1.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $165 vs $3 annually, a gap of $162 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UNL currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UNL and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 27.9% 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 UNL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 16 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UNL 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, UNL or VTI?
UNL has an expense ratio of 1.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $162 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UNL or VTI?
Over the past year UNL returned -24.17% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), UNL annualized -11.81% vs +12.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UNL or VTI?
UNL has been the more volatile fund at 30.7% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UNL -89.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both UNL and VTI?
UNL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.04, 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, UNL or VTI?
UNL yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UNL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.