USEP vs VOO
Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, USEP or VOO?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | USEP | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $145M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 12 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.65% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.93% | +17.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.99% | +21.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.39% | +13.08%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.0%Best | 16.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,960 | $18,490Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 30, 2019 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 3, 2019 to Sep 17, 2026 (7 years).
USEP vs VOO 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 7 years both funds cover.
USEP vs VOO Performance
Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USEP returned +8.93% while VOO returned +17.03%. Year to date, USEP is up 6.65% versus a gain of 12.25% for VOO.
Over three years, USEP compounded at +11.99% per year against +21.25% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.39% and +13.08% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +15.97% annualized vs +7.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 7.0% for USEP. 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 -13.4% for USEP and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USEP charges 0.79% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USEP currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in USEP and 494 in VOO, totalling 99.1% and 99.5% 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 USEP and 494 in VOO, against full books of 12 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USEP and VOO 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, USEP or VOO?
USEP has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USEP or VOO?
Over the past year USEP returned +8.93% vs +17.03% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), USEP annualized +7.97% vs +15.97% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USEP or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 7.0% for USEP. Worst drawdown: USEP -13.4% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both USEP and VOO?
USEP and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, USEP or VOO?
USEP yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than USEP?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.