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VBK vs. USO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VBK vs. USO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 11.71%/yr vs 3.57%/yr for USO. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

VBK vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and United States Oil Fund LP (USO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 18.14% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 97.72% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed USO with an annualized return of 11.71%, while USO has yielded a comparatively lower 3.57% annualized return.

VBK

1D
0.62%
1M
4.32%
YTD
18.14%
6M
16.45%
1Y
33.09%
3Y*
18.28%
5Y*
5.81%
10Y*
11.71%

USO

1D
-2.92%
1M
-5.15%
YTD
97.72%
6M
91.54%
1Y
97.20%
3Y*
28.78%
5Y*
23.67%
10Y*
3.57%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VBK vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		18.14%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%
USO
United States Oil Fund LP		97.72%-8.46%13.35%-4.94%28.97%64.68%-67.79%32.61%-19.57%2.47%

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and USO is -0.28, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.28

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.03

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.09

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.18

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2006

0.27

The correlation between VBK and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to 0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

United States Oil Fund LP

Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. IJRVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOG
Often compared with USO:
USO vs. XLEUSO vs. BNOUSO vs. UCOUSO vs. USLUSO vs. OILKUSO vs. DBOUSO vs. WTI

Return for Risk

VBK vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
USO
USO Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8686
Calmar Ratio Rank
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VBK vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and United States Oil Fund LP (USO). 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.

VBKUSODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.73
2.21

-0.47

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.40
2.80

-0.40

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.37

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.91

4.79

-1.89

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.09

9.00

+2.09

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBK vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and USO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VBKUSODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.73

2.21

-0.47

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

0.66

-0.41

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.51

0.09

+0.42

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.43

-0.18

+0.61

Drawdowns

VBK vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and USO.

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Drawdown Indicators

VBKUSODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.68%

-98.19%

+39.51%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.44%

-20.39%

+8.95%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.54%

-26.05%

-1.49%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.39%

-36.23%

-2.16%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.70%

-86.75%

+48.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.45%

-85.45%

+85.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.15%

-75.30%

+65.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.99%

10.84%

-7.85%

Volatility

VBK vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is 5.31%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.97%. This indicates that VBK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VBKUSODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.31%

14.97%

-9.66%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.63%

38.35%

-23.72%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.18%

44.32%

-25.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.48%

36.09%

-12.61%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.86%

39.00%

-16.14%

VBK vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBK vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
USO
United States Oil Fund LP		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.44%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VBK and USO have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

USO has higher volatility (14.97%) compared to VBK (5.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs USO's -98.19%.

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.71% vs 3.57% for USO. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBK has been the lower-risk option at 5.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.71% return vs 3.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

VBK has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBK and 0.86% for USO.

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.73), 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.

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