VIOG vs. USL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIOG (Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VIOG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIOG returned 10.83%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for USL. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIOG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

VIOG vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIOG achieves a 15.37% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 63.07% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VIOG having a 10.83% annualized return and USL not far ahead at 10.91%.

VIOG

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 15.37%
• 6M: 13.49%
• 1Y: 26.34%
• 3Y*: 14.40%
• 5Y*: 5.47%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

USL

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 63.07%
• 6M: 59.66%
• 1Y: 57.86%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 17.41%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

VIOG vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIOG Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF	15.37%	5.40%	9.23%	16.92%	-21.14%	22.49%	19.68%	21.16%	-4.57%	14.70%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	63.07%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between VIOG and USL is -0.27, 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	-0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.25

The correlation between VIOG and USL shifts across timeframes, from -0.27 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VIOG vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIOG	USL
Technology	19.7%	-
Industrials	19.5%	-
Healthcare	14.6%	-
Financial Services	13.7%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	-
Real Estate	6.6%	-
Energy	4.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.1%	-
Communication Services	2.7%	-
Utilities	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

VIOG vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIOG

VIOG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VIOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VIOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VIOG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VIOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VIOG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

VIOG vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). 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.

	VIOG	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.04	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.58	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.34	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.47	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.01	7.02	+2.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIOG vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIOG and USL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VIOG	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	2.04	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.58	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.34	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.01	+0.59

Drawdowns

VIOG vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIOG drawdown since its inception was -41.73%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOG and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIOG	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.73%	-89.06%	+47.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-16.76%	+7.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.35%	-23.33%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.15%	-33.82%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.73%	-66.02%	+24.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-38.16%	+36.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-61.46%	+53.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	8.27%	-5.63%

Volatility

VIOG vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) is 4.61%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that VIOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIOG	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	10.53%	-5.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.44%	23.33%	-10.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.48%	28.54%	-11.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.47%	30.08%	-8.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.84%	32.35%	-9.51%

VIOG vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIOG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIOG vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

VIOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
USL United States 12 Month 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%
VIOG Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF	0.84%	1.04%	1.03%	1.15%	1.17%	0.69%	0.68%	1.09%	0.76%	0.87%	0.92%	1.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIOG and USL in my portfolio?

VIOG and USL have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIOG or USL?

USL has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to VIOG (4.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIOG dropped -41.73% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, VIOG or USL?

On 10-year performance, USL leads with 10.91% vs 10.83% for VIOG. On fees, VIOG is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VIOG has been the lower-risk option at 4.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIOG or USL?

Over the 10-year period, USL has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIOG or USL?

VIOG is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for USL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIOG or USL?

VIOG has the higher dividend yield at 0.84%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between VIOG and USL?

VIOG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while USL is Oil & Gas. VIOG tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VIOG and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.52), 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.