DDFL vs. USO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DDFL (Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - DDFL is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. DDFL is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. DDFL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

DDFL vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) 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, DDFL achieves a 2.83% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 97.72% return.

DDFL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 2.83%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -2.92%
• 1M: -5.15%
• YTD: 97.72%
• 6M: 91.54%
• 1Y: 97.20%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 23.67%
• 10Y*: 3.57%

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

DDFL vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	2.83%	4.76%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	97.72%	-6.45%

Correlation

The correlation between DDFL and USO is -0.14, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2025	-0.14

Return for Risk

DDFL vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 66
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 62
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
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.

DDFL vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DDFL	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.59	-0.18	+2.77

Drawdowns

DDFL vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFL drawdown since its inception was -1.63%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFL and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFL	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-98.19%	+96.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-20.39%	—
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	-0.02%	-85.45%	+85.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-75.30%	+75.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	10.84%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFL	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	14.97%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	38.35%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	44.32%	-41.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.25%	36.09%	-32.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.25%	39.00%	-35.75%

DDFL vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDFL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDFL vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

Neither DDFL nor USO has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDFL and USO in my portfolio?

DDFL and USO have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DDFL or USO?

On fees, DDFL is cheaper at 0.79% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDFL or USO?

DDFL is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

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

What is the main difference between DDFL and USO?

DDFL is categorized as Defined Outcome, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for DDFL and 0.86% for USO.