BUFY vs. USO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BUFY (FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - BUFY is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. BUFY is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, BUFY returned 12.12% vs 45.60% for USO. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. BUFY charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

BUFY vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) 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, BUFY achieves a 4.68% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 53.69% return.

BUFY

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 4.68%
• 6M: 4.63%
• 1Y: 12.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -4.47%
• 1M: -24.57%
• YTD: 53.69%
• 6M: 51.41%
• 1Y: 45.60%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: 16.16%
• 10Y*: 1.54%

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

BUFY vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BUFY FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF	4.68%	18.22%	-7.01%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	53.69%	-8.46%	5.69%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFY and USO is -0.34, 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	-0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2024	-0.22

The correlation between BUFY and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.34 (1 year) to -0.22 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BUFY vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFY

BUFY Risk / Return Rank: 60
BUFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
BUFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
BUFY Omega Ratio Rank: 61
BUFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
BUFY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 33
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 33
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

BUFY vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) 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.

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.

	BUFY	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.05	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	1.68	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.21	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	1.50	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.20	4.49	+6.71

BUFY vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFY Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFY 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.

Drawdowns

BUFY vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFY drawdown since its inception was -8.01%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFY and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFY	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.01%	-98.19%	+90.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.65%	-30.51%	+25.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-30.51%	—
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	-0.87%	-88.69%	+87.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.66%	-75.32%	+73.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	10.18%	-9.10%

Volatility

BUFY vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered International Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFY) is 2.10%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 12.26%. This indicates that BUFY 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

	BUFY	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	12.26%	-10.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.81%	39.65%	-33.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.96%	43.82%	-36.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.50%	36.38%	-27.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.50%	39.04%	-30.54%

BUFY vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFY has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFY vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

Neither BUFY nor USO has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFY and USO in my portfolio?

BUFY and USO have a correlation of -0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFY or USO?

USO has higher volatility (12.26%) compared to BUFY (2.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFY dropped -8.01% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, BUFY or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 45.60% vs 12.12% for BUFY. On fees, USO is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, BUFY has been the lower-risk option at 2.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUFY or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 45.60% return vs 12.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUFY or USO?

USO is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for BUFY.

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

BUFY and USO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BUFY and USO?

BUFY is categorized as Defined Outcome, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and USCF. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for BUFY and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.05), 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.