USG vs. VEGBX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

USG (USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund) and VEGBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - USG is a Gold fund actively managed by USCF, while VEGBX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, USG returned 22.67%/yr vs 11.40%/yr for VEGBX. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USG charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for VEGBX.

Performance

USG vs. VEGBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund (USG) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USG achieves a -7.36% return, which is significantly lower than VEGBX's 3.26% return.

USG

• 1D: -2.30%
• 1M: -4.64%
• 6M: -12.74%
• YTD: -7.36%
• 1Y: 14.05%
• 3Y*: 22.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEGBX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.19%
• 6M: 3.22%
• YTD: 3.26%
• 1Y: 11.55%
• 3Y*: 11.40%
• 5Y*: 4.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

USG vs. VEGBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
USG USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund	-7.36%	52.02%	23.70%	8.49%	2.12%	3.50%
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	3.26%	14.46%	7.60%	13.81%	-13.02%	-0.17%

Correlation

The correlation between USG and VEGBX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2021	0.23

Return for Risk

USG vs. VEGBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

USG

USG Risk / Return Rank: 10
USG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
USG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
USG Omega Ratio Rank: 13
USG Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
USG Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VEGBX

VEGBX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VEGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VEGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VEGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VEGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VEGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

USG vs. VEGBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund (USG) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	USG	VEGBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	2.60	-2.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	4.15	-3.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.52	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	2.96	-2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.45	13.00	-11.54

USG vs. VEGBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USG Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the VEGBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USG and VEGBX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

USG vs. VEGBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USG drawdown since its inception was -24.86%, roughly equal to the maximum VEGBX drawdown of -24.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USG and VEGBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USG	VEGBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.86%	-24.27%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.86%	-3.79%	-21.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.86%	-5.53%	-19.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.27%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.30%	-0.37%	-23.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.72%	-3.80%	-0.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.68%	0.87%	+8.81%

Volatility

USG vs. VEGBX - Volatility Comparison

USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund (USG) has a higher volatility of 7.32% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) at 1.05%. This indicates that USG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEGBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USG	VEGBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.32%	1.05%	+6.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.78%	3.70%	+19.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.67%	4.32%	+20.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	6.36%	+9.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.18%	6.34%	+9.84%

USG vs. VEGBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

USG has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VEGBX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

USG vs. VEGBX - Dividend Comparison

USG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 30.08%, more than VEGBX's 6.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USG USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund	30.08%	27.33%	7.48%	8.16%	2.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	6.16%	6.34%	7.02%	7.20%	5.61%	5.14%	4.62%	6.42%	5.00%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USG and VEGBX in my portfolio?

USG and VEGBX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USG or VEGBX?

USG has higher volatility (7.32%) compared to VEGBX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USG dropped -24.86% vs VEGBX's -24.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 0.57), 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.