VTWG vs. UGA
VTWG (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VTWG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Growth Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTWG returned 12.12%/yr vs 14.31%/yr for UGA. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTWG charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.
Performance
VTWG vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTWG achieves a 20.43% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return. Over the past 10 years, VTWG has underperformed UGA with an annualized return of 12.12%, while UGA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.31% annualized return.
VTWG
- 1D
- -1.45%
- 1M
- 4.36%
- YTD
- 20.43%
- 6M
- 16.97%
- 1Y
- 40.10%
- 3Y*
- 19.34%
- 5Y*
- 5.29%
- 10Y*
- 12.12%
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%
VTWG vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTWG Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF | 20.43% | 13.07% | 15.15% | 18.90% | -26.49% | 2.84% | 34.72% | 28.75% | -9.45% | 22.27% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 64.09% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 41.25% | -28.07% | 1.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTWG and UGA is -0.21, 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 | -0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2010 | 0.20 |
The correlation between VTWG and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.20 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VTWG vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
VTWG
UGA
VTWG vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) 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.
| VTWG | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.30 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.71 | 3.17 | -0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.72 | 9.39 | +0.33 |
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Drawdowns
VTWG vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTWG drawdown since its inception was -42.07%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWG and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTWG | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.07% | -86.59% | +44.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.88% | -18.96% | +4.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.58% | -26.68% | -1.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.49% | -38.11% | -2.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.07% | -75.89% | +33.82% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.45% | -18.05% | +16.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.50% | -36.69% | +26.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.14% | 6.43% | -2.29% |
Volatility
VTWG vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) is 7.82%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that VTWG 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VTWG | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.82% | 9.24% | -1.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.92% | 30.57% | -13.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.34% | 35.22% | -12.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.67% | 34.45% | -9.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.27% | 37.22% | -12.95% |
VTWG vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTWG has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTWG vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
VTWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UGA United States Gasoline 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% |
VTWG Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF | 0.59% | 0.64% | 0.55% | 0.79% | 0.71% | 0.54% | 0.48% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.64% | 0.96% | 0.72% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTWG and UGA have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to VTWG (7.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWG dropped -42.07% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 10-year performance, UGA leads with 14.31% vs 12.12% for VTWG. On fees, VTWG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VTWG has been the lower-risk option at 7.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, UGA has performed better with a 14.31% return vs 12.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTWG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.
VTWG has the higher dividend yield at 0.59%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
VTWG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while UGA is Oil & Gas. VTWG tracks Russell 2000 Growth Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTWG and 0.75% for UGA.
VTWG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 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.
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