USCI vs VTI
United States Commodity Index Fund ETV vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USCI or VTI?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. USCI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $422M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 33 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +42.30%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +43.66%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.45%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.33%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,227Best | $17,616 |
| Fund Family | USCF Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 10, 2010 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 10, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.2 years).
USCI 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 16.2 years both funds cover.
USCI vs VTI Performance
United States Commodity Index Fund ETV (USCI) is an ETF from USCF Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USCI returned +43.66% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, USCI is up 42.30% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, USCI compounded at +23.45% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +20.33% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.91% annualized vs +4.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USCI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.6% 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 -66.4% for USCI 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 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USCI charges 1.05% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $3 annually, a gap of $102 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USCI currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in USCI and 3,441 in VTI, totalling 25.4% 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 USCI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 33 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USCI 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, USCI or VTI?
USCI has an expense ratio of 1.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $102 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USCI or VTI?
Over the past year USCI returned +43.66% vs +16.63% for VTI, so USCI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), USCI annualized +4.99% vs +12.91% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USCI or VTI?
USCI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: USCI -66.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both USCI and VTI?
USCI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, 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 VTI?
USCI yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USCI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. USCI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.