VGVT vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VGVT is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. VGVT is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.41, they often move in opposite directions. VGVT charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

VGVT vs. USO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGVT achieves a 0.11% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return.

VGVT

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.11%
• 6M: 0.10%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: 2.62%
• 1M: -4.57%
• YTD: 103.67%
• 6M: 99.35%
• 1Y: 101.55%
• 3Y*: 29.98%
• 5Y*: 24.41%
• 10Y*: 4.07%

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

VGVT vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	0.11%	3.28%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	103.67%	-10.10%

Correlation

The correlation between VGVT and USO is -0.41, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025	-0.41

Return for Risk

VGVT vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 66
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VGVT vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGVT	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.31	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	-0.18	+1.35

Drawdowns

VGVT vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGVT drawdown since its inception was -2.77%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGVT and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGVT	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.77%	-98.19%	+95.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-20.39%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.05%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-86.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.76%	-85.01%	+83.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-75.30%	+74.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	10.82%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGVT	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	14.87%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	38.23%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	44.20%	-40.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.22%	36.06%	-32.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.22%	39.00%	-35.78%

VGVT vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGVT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGVT vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

VGVT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	3.99%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGVT and USO in my portfolio?

VGVT and USO have a correlation of -0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VGVT or USO?

On fees, VGVT is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGVT or USO?

VGVT is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGVT or USO?

VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between VGVT and USO?

VGVT is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VGVT and 0.86% for USO.