BFRZ vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BFRZ (Innovator Equity Managed 100 Buffer ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - BFRZ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. BFRZ is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, BFRZ returned 8.04% vs 101.55% for USO. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. BFRZ charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

BFRZ vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Managed 100 Buffer ETF (BFRZ) 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, BFRZ achieves a 1.49% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return.

BFRZ

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 2.76%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 8.04%
• 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)

BFRZ vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BFRZ Innovator Equity Managed 100 Buffer ETF	1.49%	7.39%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	103.67%	-0.62%

Correlation

The correlation between BFRZ and USO is -0.18, 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	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2025	-0.18

Return for Risk

BFRZ vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

BFRZ

BFRZ Risk / Return Rank: 48
BFRZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
BFRZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
BFRZ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
BFRZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
BFRZ Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

BFRZ vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Managed 100 Buffer ETF (BFRZ) 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.

	BFRZ	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.31	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.89	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.38	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	5.01	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.31	9.42	-2.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BFRZ vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFRZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFRZ and USO, 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

	BFRZ	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	2.31	-0.69
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	1.75	-0.18	+1.93

Drawdowns

BFRZ vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFRZ drawdown since its inception was -3.12%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFRZ and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BFRZ	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.12%	-98.19%	+95.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.12%	-20.39%	+17.27%
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	-0.42%	-85.01%	+84.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.66%	-75.30%	+74.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	10.82%	-9.72%

Volatility

BFRZ vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Managed 100 Buffer ETF (BFRZ) is 1.16%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that BFRZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BFRZ	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	14.87%	-13.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.72%	38.23%	-34.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.99%	44.20%	-39.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	36.06%	-31.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.88%	39.00%	-34.12%

BFRZ vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

BFRZ has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

BFRZ vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

BFRZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BFRZ Innovator Equity Managed 100 Buffer ETF	0.26%	0.20%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BFRZ and USO in my portfolio?

BFRZ and USO have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BFRZ or USO?

USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to BFRZ (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFRZ dropped -3.12% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, BFRZ or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 101.55% vs 8.04% for BFRZ. On fees, USO is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, BFRZ has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BFRZ or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 101.55% return vs 8.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BFRZ or USO?

USO is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BFRZ.

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

BFRZ has the higher dividend yield at 0.26%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between BFRZ and USO?

BFRZ is categorized as Defined Outcome, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for BFRZ and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.62), 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.