CL=F vs. BZ=F

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CL=F (Crude Oil WTI) and BZ=F (Crude Oil Brent) are both assets. Over the past 10 years, CL=F returned 6.75%/yr vs 6.79%/yr for BZ=F. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

CL=F vs. BZ=F - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Crude Oil WTI (CL=F) and Crude Oil Brent (BZ=F). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CL=F achieves a 62.64% return, which is significantly higher than BZ=F's 57.40% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CL=F having a 6.75% annualized return and BZ=F not far ahead at 6.79%.

CL=F

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: -8.39%
• YTD: 62.64%
• 6M: 59.26%
• 1Y: 49.38%
• 3Y*: 9.14%
• 5Y*: 6.36%
• 10Y*: 6.75%

BZ=F

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -11.45%
• YTD: 57.40%
• 6M: 53.37%
• 1Y: 48.20%
• 3Y*: 7.95%
• 5Y*: 6.08%
• 10Y*: 6.79%

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

CL=F vs. BZ=F - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CL=F Crude Oil WTI	62.64%	-19.41%	-0.82%	-10.70%	7.44%	53.98%	-19.98%	32.92%	-24.35%	12.51%
BZ=F Crude Oil Brent	57.40%	-18.48%	-3.12%	-10.32%	10.45%	50.15%	-21.52%	22.68%	-19.55%	17.69%

Correlation

The correlation between CL=F and BZ=F is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 1988	0.80

The correlation between CL=F and BZ=F shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (all time) to 0.92 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CL=F vs. BZ=F — Risk / Return Rank

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

CL=F

CL=F Risk / Return Rank: 28
CL=F Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
CL=F Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CL=F Omega Ratio Rank: 24
CL=F Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
CL=F Martin Ratio Rank: 32

BZ=F

BZ=F Risk / Return Rank: 33
BZ=F Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
BZ=F Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
BZ=F Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BZ=F Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BZ=F Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

CL=F vs. BZ=F - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Crude Oil WTI (CL=F) and Crude Oil Brent (BZ=F). 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.

	CL=F	BZ=F	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	0.89	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	1.35	+0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.20	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	1.75	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.14	3.64	-0.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CL=F vs. BZ=F - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CL=F Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is comparable to the BZ=F Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CL=F and BZ=F, 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

	CL=F	BZ=F	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89	0.89	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.16	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13	0.17	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.13	-0.07

Drawdowns

CL=F vs. BZ=F - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CL=F drawdown since its inception was -92.04%, which is greater than BZ=F's maximum drawdown of -86.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CL=F and BZ=F.

Drawdown Indicators

	CL=F	BZ=F	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.04%	-86.77%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.07%	-23.63%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.46%	-38.97%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.86%	-53.96%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-84.82%	-77.60%	-7.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.72%	-34.43%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.81%	-40.98%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.23%	11.34%	+0.89%

Volatility

CL=F vs. BZ=F - Volatility Comparison

Crude Oil WTI (CL=F) and Crude Oil Brent (BZ=F) have volatilities of 17.06% and 16.99%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CL=F	BZ=F	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.06%	16.99%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.43%	45.63%	+0.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.20%	47.56%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.88%	37.42%	+1.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.55%	39.20%	+10.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CL=F and BZ=F in my portfolio?

CL=F and BZ=F have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CL=F or BZ=F?

CL=F has higher volatility (17.06%) compared to BZ=F (16.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CL=F dropped -92.04% vs BZ=F's -86.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BZ=F currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.89 vs 0.89), 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.