VGLT vs. USO
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury 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, VGLT returned -1.80%/yr vs 5.64%/yr for USO. Their -0.24 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.
Performance
VGLT vs. USO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -3.26% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 86.77% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed USO with an annualized return of -1.80%, while USO has yielded a comparatively higher 5.64% annualized return.
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.62%
- 1M
- -3.51%
- 6M
- -3.14%
- YTD
- -3.26%
- 1Y
- -1.67%
- 3Y*
- -0.62%
- 5Y*
- -7.07%
- 10Y*
- -1.80%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.27%
USO
- 1D
- 1.33%
- 1M
- 24.23%
- 6M
- 62.44%
- YTD
- 86.77%
- 1Y
- 66.76%
- 3Y*
- 20.97%
- 5Y*
- 20.59%
- 10Y*
- 5.64%
- ALL TIME*
- -6.85%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $968.42M | $871.56M | $931.57M | |
| $95.69M | $98.86M | $108.97M |
VGLT vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -3.26% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
USO United States Oil Fund LP | 86.77% | -8.46% | 13.35% | -4.94% | 28.97% | 64.68% | -67.79% | 32.61% | -19.57% | 2.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and USO is -0.42, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.20 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | -0.24 |
The correlation between VGLT and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.42 (1 year) to -0.19 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGLT vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
USO
VGLT vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) 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.
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.
| VGLT | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.99 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.25 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 1.93 | -1.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.12 | 5.60 | -5.71 |
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Drawdowns
VGLT vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and USO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -98.19% | +52.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.03% | -32.49% | +25.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.38% | -32.49% | +19.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -36.23% | -4.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | -86.75% | +40.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.64% | -86.26% | +47.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.26% | -75.38% | +60.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.19% | 12.03% | -8.84% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. USO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 2.24%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 17.73%. This indicates that VGLT 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
| VGLT | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.24% | 17.73% | -15.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.31% | 42.79% | -36.48% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.47% | 46.91% | -38.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.45% | 37.06% | -22.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.75% | 39.29% | -25.54% |
VGLT vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGLT vs. USO - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.37% | 4.44% | 4.33% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGLT and USO have a correlation of -0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
USO has higher volatility (17.73%) compared to VGLT (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs USO's -98.19%.
On 10-year performance, USO leads with 5.64% vs -1.80% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, USO has performed better with a 5.64% return vs -1.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.37%, compared with 0.00% for USO.
VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while USO is Oil & Gas. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.86% for USO.
USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs -0.04), 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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