VTEI vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VTEI (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VTEI is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P Intermediate Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VTEI returned 5.77% vs 59.74% for UGA. At a correlation of -0.17, they often move in opposite directions. VTEI charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

VTEI vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEI) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEI achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.

VTEI

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.43%
• 1Y: 5.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

VTEI vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VTEI Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.26%	4.59%	1.65%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	-2.00%	-2.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VTEI and UGA 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	-0.17

The correlation between VTEI and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to -0.17 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTEI vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTEI

VTEI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VTEI Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VTEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VTEI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

VTEI vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEI) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	VTEI	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	1.73	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	2.25	+1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.30	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	3.17	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.09	9.39	-2.30

VTEI vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTEI Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is higher than the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTEI and UGA, 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

VTEI vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEI drawdown since its inception was -3.64%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEI and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTEI	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-86.59%	+82.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.61%	-18.96%	+16.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-18.05%	+17.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-36.69%	+35.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.82%	6.43%	-5.61%

Volatility

VTEI vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEI) is 0.68%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that VTEI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTEI	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.68%	9.24%	-8.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.77%	30.57%	-28.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38%	35.22%	-32.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.02%	34.45%	-31.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.02%	37.22%	-34.20%

VTEI vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEI has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTEI vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

VTEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTEI Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.05%	3.00%	2.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTEI and UGA in my portfolio?

VTEI and UGA 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.

Which is riskier, VTEI or UGA?

UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to VTEI (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEI dropped -3.64% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, VTEI or UGA?

On 1-year performance, UGA leads with 59.74% vs 5.77% for VTEI. On fees, VTEI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VTEI has been the lower-risk option at 0.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTEI or UGA?

Over the 1-year period, UGA has performed better with a 59.74% return vs 5.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTEI or UGA?

VTEI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTEI or UGA?

VTEI has the higher dividend yield at 3.05%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.

What is the main difference between VTEI and UGA?

VTEI is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while UGA is Oil & Gas. VTEI tracks S&P Intermediate Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VTEI and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTEI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 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.