USCI vs VXUS
United States Commodity Index Fund ETV vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, USCI or VXUS?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. USCI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS 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 | USCI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $399M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 30 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +43.04%Best | +12.44% |
| 1Y Return | +41.74%Best | +20.21% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.03%Best | +19.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.17%Best | +8.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -66.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $27,216Best | $15,379 |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 10, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 24, 2026 (15.7 years).
USCI vs VXUS 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
USCI vs VXUS Performance
United States Commodity Index Fund ETV (USCI) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USCI returned +41.74% while VXUS returned +20.21%. Year to date, USCI is up 43.04% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, USCI compounded at +23.03% per year against +19.97% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +22.17% and +8.99% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.69% annualized vs +3.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.6% for USCI. 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 -66.4% for USCI and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USCI charges 1.05% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $5 annually, a gap of $100 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USCI currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in USCI and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 31.0% and 88.8% 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 2 positions we hold weights for in USCI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 30 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USCI and VXUS 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, USCI or VXUS?
USCI has an expense ratio of 1.05% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $100 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USCI or VXUS?
Over the past year USCI returned +41.74% vs +20.21% for VXUS, so USCI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), USCI annualized +3.34% vs +4.69% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USCI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.6% for USCI. Worst drawdown: USCI -66.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both USCI and VXUS?
USCI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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, USCI or VXUS?
USCI yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than USCI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. USCI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.