USO vs VYM
United States Oil Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USO or VYM?
Energy against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USO led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 7 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +122.00%Best | +9.71% |
| 1Y Return | +100.41%Best | +13.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.97%Best | +17.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.19%Best | +11.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.2% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.2% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,542Best | $17,195 |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 10, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 24, 2026 (19.9 years).
USO 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
USO vs VYM Performance
United States Oil Fund (USO) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USO returned +100.41% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, USO is up 122.00% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, USO compounded at +23.97% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +24.19% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.73% annualized vs -4.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.2% compared with 14.6% for VYM. 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 -98.2% for USO and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USO charges 0.86% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $4 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USO currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in USO and 557 in VYM, totalling 8.0% and 99.2% 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 557 in VYM, against full books of 7 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USO 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, USO or VYM?
USO has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USO or VYM?
Over the past year USO returned +100.41% vs +13.77% for VYM, so USO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), USO annualized -4.78% vs +6.73% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USO or VYM?
USO has been the more volatile fund at 38.2% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: USO -98.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both USO and VYM?
USO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, 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 VYM?
USO yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USO led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.