USOI vs VTI
ETRACS Crude Oil Shares Covered Call ETN vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USOI or VTI?
Energy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. USOI led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and 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 | USOI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $245M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 48.53% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | - | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +51.07%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +53.83%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.97% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.56%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.4% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -87.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,885Best | $17,616 |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 25, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.5 years).
USOI 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 9.5 years both funds cover.
USOI vs VTI Performance
ETRACS Crude Oil Shares Covered Call ETN (USOI) is an ETF from UBS AG and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USOI returned +53.83% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, USOI is up 51.07% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, USOI compounded at +11.97% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.56% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.51% annualized vs -6.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USOI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.4% compared with 16.2% 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 -87.2% for USOI 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 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USOI charges 0.85% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $3 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USOI currently yields 48.53% against 1.06% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USOI 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, USOI or VTI?
USOI has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USOI or VTI?
Over the past year USOI returned +53.83% vs +16.63% for VTI, so USOI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), USOI annualized -6.50% vs +13.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USOI or VTI?
USOI has been the more volatile fund at 30.4% annualized versus 16.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: USOI -87.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both USOI and VTI?
USOI and VTI 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, USOI or VTI?
USOI yields 48.53% while VTI yields 1.06%, so USOI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USOI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. USOI led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.