VICE vs. USAI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VICE (AdvisorShares Vice ETF) and USAI (Pacer American Energy Independence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VICE is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while USAI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the American Energy Independence Index. VICE is actively managed, while USAI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VICE returned -0.39%/yr vs 18.65%/yr for USAI. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VICE charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for USAI.

Performance

VICE vs. USAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Vice ETF (VICE) and Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VICE achieves a 4.29% return, which is significantly lower than USAI's 22.28% return.

VICE

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 4.29%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: -0.93%
• 3Y*: 7.06%
• 5Y*: -0.39%
• 10Y*: —

USAI

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: -4.67%
• YTD: 22.28%
• 6M: 22.34%
• 1Y: 21.25%
• 3Y*: 26.31%
• 5Y*: 18.65%
• 10Y*: —

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

VICE vs. USAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VICE AdvisorShares Vice ETF	4.29%	1.56%	18.27%	3.01%	-18.28%	8.50%	22.45%	20.05%	-16.93%	4.19%
USAI Pacer American Energy Independence ETF	22.28%	0.69%	43.99%	14.21%	19.82%	37.10%	-15.10%	21.63%	-17.31%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VICE and USAI is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2017	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between VICE and USAI has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VICE vs. USAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VICE	USAI
Consumer Defensive	37.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	33.7%	-
Basic Materials	8.6%	-
Real Estate	8.4%	-
Communication Services	6.0%	-
Technology	5.4%	-
Energy	-	97.8%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

VICE vs. USAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VICE

VICE Risk / Return Rank: 8
VICE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VICE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VICE Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VICE Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VICE Martin Ratio Rank: 8

USAI

USAI Risk / Return Rank: 40
USAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
USAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
USAI Omega Ratio Rank: 36
USAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
USAI Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

VICE vs. USAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Vice ETF (VICE) and Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI). 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.

	VICE	USAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.07	1.34	-1.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.01	1.86	-1.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.23	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.07	2.37	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.12	5.01	-5.13

VICE vs. USAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VICE Sharpe Ratio is -0.07, which is lower than the USAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VICE and USAI, 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

VICE vs. USAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VICE drawdown since its inception was -38.27%, smaller than the maximum USAI drawdown of -65.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICE and USAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VICE	USAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.27%	-65.25%	+26.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.59%	-9.01%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.55%	-18.22%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.02%	-20.68%	-13.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.55%	-5.91%	-1.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.34%	-9.34%	-3.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.90%	4.25%	+3.65%

Volatility

VICE vs. USAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AdvisorShares Vice ETF (VICE) is 4.03%, while Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI) has a volatility of 5.71%. This indicates that VICE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VICE	USAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	5.71%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.38%	12.39%	-3.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.27%	16.02%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.71%	20.47%	-2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.16%	27.26%	-8.10%

VICE vs. USAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VICE has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than USAI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VICE vs. USAI - Dividend Comparison

VICE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than USAI's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USAI Pacer American Energy Independence ETF	4.19%	5.03%	3.62%	4.99%	5.41%	6.15%	7.67%	6.50%	5.56%	0.08%
VICE AdvisorShares Vice ETF	0.75%	0.79%	1.46%	1.69%	0.96%	0.99%	0.00%	2.47%	1.72%	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VICE and USAI in my portfolio?

VICE and USAI have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VICE or USAI?

USAI has higher volatility (5.71%) compared to VICE (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICE dropped -38.27% vs USAI's -65.25%.

Which ETF is better, VICE or USAI?

On 5-year performance, USAI leads with 18.65% vs -0.39% for VICE. On fees, USAI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, VICE has been the lower-risk option at 4.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VICE or USAI?

Over the 5-year period, USAI has performed better with a 18.65% return vs -0.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VICE or USAI?

USAI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for VICE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VICE or USAI?

USAI has the higher dividend yield at 4.19%, compared with 0.75% for VICE.

What is the main difference between VICE and USAI?

VICE is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while USAI is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for VICE and 0.75% for USAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs -0.07), 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.