CPER vs. USE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CPER (United States Copper Index Fund) and USE (USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - CPER is a Metals fund tracking the SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return, while USE is a Commodities fund actively managed by USCF. CPER is passively managed, while USE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, CPER returned 20.89%/yr vs 16.79%/yr for USE. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CPER charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for USE.

Performance

CPER vs. USE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) and USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund (USE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPER achieves a 16.13% return, which is significantly lower than USE's 44.71% return.

CPER

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: 12.06%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 6M: 26.32%
• 1Y: 33.68%
• 3Y*: 20.89%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

USE

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -2.42%
• YTD: 44.71%
• 6M: 45.41%
• 1Y: 38.15%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPER vs. USE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CPER United States Copper Index Fund	16.13%	38.95%	4.23%	2.07%
USE USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund	44.71%	-14.97%	22.58%	9.98%

Correlation

The correlation between CPER and USE is -0.16, 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	-0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2023	0.09

The correlation between CPER and USE shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CPER vs. USE — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPER

CPER Risk / Return Rank: 28
CPER Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
CPER Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
CPER Omega Ratio Rank: 34
CPER Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
CPER Martin Ratio Rank: 24

USE

USE Risk / Return Rank: 31
USE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
USE Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
USE Omega Ratio Rank: 32
USE Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
USE Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

CPER vs. USE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) and USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund (USE). 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.

	CPER	USE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	1.22	-0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	1.83	-0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.22	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	1.58	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.21	3.12	+0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPER vs. USE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPER Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is comparable to the USE Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPER and USE, 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

	CPER	USE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99	1.22	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.67	-0.52

Drawdowns

CPER vs. USE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPER drawdown since its inception was -54.04%, which is greater than USE's maximum drawdown of -26.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPER and USE.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPER	USE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.04%	-26.24%	-27.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.77%	-26.24%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.77%	-26.24%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.75%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.00%	+7.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.41%	-7.96%	-17.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.92%	13.32%	-1.40%

Volatility

CPER vs. USE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) is 9.37%, while USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund (USE) has a volatility of 11.27%. This indicates that CPER experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPER	USE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.37%	11.27%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.64%	25.77%	-3.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.51%	31.43%	+3.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.97%	27.03%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.03%	27.03%	-3.00%

CPER vs. USE - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPER has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than USE's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPER vs. USE - Dividend Comparison

CPER has not paid dividends to shareholders, while USE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CPER United States Copper Index Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USE USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund	2.11%	3.06%	38.65%	4.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPER and USE in my portfolio?

CPER and USE have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPER or USE?

USE has higher volatility (11.27%) compared to CPER (9.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPER dropped -54.04% vs USE's -26.24%.

Which ETF is better, CPER or USE?

On 3-year performance, CPER leads with 20.89% vs 16.79% for USE. On fees, USE is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, CPER has been the lower-risk option at 9.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPER or USE?

Over the 3-year period, CPER has performed better with a 20.89% return vs 16.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPER or USE?

USE is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for CPER.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CPER or USE?

USE has the higher dividend yield at 2.11%, compared with 0.00% for CPER.

What is the main difference between CPER and USE?

CPER is categorized as Metals, while USE is Commodities. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for CPER and 0.79% for USE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 0.99), 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.