USO vs VOO
United States Oil Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, USO or VOO?
Energy against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. USO led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOO 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 | USO | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 7 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +115.82%Best | +13.31% |
| 1Y Return | +98.31%Best | +17.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.83%Best | +22.72% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.71%Best | +13.19% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.0% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -95.3% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,975Best | $18,580 |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 10, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 23, 2026 (16 years).
USO 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 16 years both funds cover.
USO vs VOO Performance
United States Oil Fund (USO) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USO returned +98.31% while VOO returned +17.07%. Year to date, USO is up 115.82% versus a gain of 13.31% for VOO.
Over three years, USO compounded at +22.83% per year against +22.72% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +23.71% and +13.19% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.43% annualized vs -3.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.0% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -95.3% for USO 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 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USO charges 0.86% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $3 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USO currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in USO and 494 in VOO, totalling 8.0% 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 USO and 494 in VOO, against full books of 7 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USO 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, USO or VOO?
USO has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USO or VOO?
Over the past year USO returned +98.31% vs +17.07% for VOO, so USO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), USO annualized -3.49% vs +13.43% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USO or VOO?
USO has been the more volatile fund at 38.0% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: USO -95.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both USO and VOO?
USO and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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, USO or VOO?
USO yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than USO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. USO led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOO over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.