SEA vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEA returned 18.52%/yr vs 22.44%/yr for VOO. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

SEA vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEA achieves a 20.79% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 10.91% return.

SEA

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 20.79%
• 6M: 21.12%
• 1Y: 30.09%
• 3Y*: 18.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SEA vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	20.79%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-17.28%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-13.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SEA and VOO is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2022	0.54

The correlation between SEA and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

SEA vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEA	VOO
Industrials	82.7%	8.3%
Energy	17.3%	3.5%
Communication Services	0.0%	11.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Financial Services	-	11.6%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%
Technology	-1.6%	35.7%

Return for Risk

SEA vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SEA vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	SEA	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.39	-0.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	3.25	-0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.43	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	3.16	-0.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.52	14.73	-3.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEA vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEA and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SEA	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	2.39	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.89	-0.49

Drawdowns

SEA vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEA drawdown since its inception was -39.53%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEA and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEA	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.53%	-33.99%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-8.90%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.42%	-18.69%	-13.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.07%	-0.70%	-2.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.31%	-3.69%	-10.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	1.91%	+0.71%

Volatility

SEA vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) has a higher volatility of 5.17% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.84%. This indicates that SEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEA	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.17%	2.84%	+2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.01%	8.90%	+3.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.28%	11.80%	+4.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.67%	16.81%	+4.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.67%	18.01%	+3.66%

SEA vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEA vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

SEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.59%, more than VOO's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.59%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEA and VOO in my portfolio?

SEA and VOO have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEA or VOO?

SEA has higher volatility (5.17%) compared to VOO (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEA dropped -39.53% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, SEA or VOO?

On 3-year performance, VOO leads with 22.44% vs 18.52% for SEA. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEA or VOO?

Over the 3-year period, VOO has performed better with a 22.44% return vs 18.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEA or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEA or VOO?

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.59%, compared with 1.03% for VOO.

What is the main difference between SEA and VOO?

SEA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: US Global and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEA and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.86), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.