DEXC vs. USO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DEXC (Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - DEXC is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. DEXC is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, DEXC returned 55.75% vs 45.61% for USO. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. DEXC charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

DEXC vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF (DEXC) 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, DEXC achieves a 33.63% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 60.87% return.

DEXC

• 1D: -6.22%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 33.63%
• 6M: 34.97%
• 1Y: 55.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: -21.05%
• YTD: 60.87%
• 6M: 58.26%
• 1Y: 45.61%
• 3Y*: 21.25%
• 5Y*: 17.42%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

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

DEXC vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DEXC Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF	33.63%	27.13%	-1.63%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	60.87%	-8.46%	6.81%

Correlation

The correlation between DEXC and USO is -0.28, 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	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2024	-0.14

The correlation between DEXC and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to -0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DEXC vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEXC

DEXC Risk / Return Rank: 82
DEXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DEXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DEXC Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DEXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
DEXC Martin Ratio Rank: 86

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 32
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 32
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
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.

DEXC vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF (DEXC) 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.

	DEXC	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.05	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	1.68	+1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.21	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.36	1.68	+2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.49	4.57	+11.91

DEXC vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEXC Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEXC 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

DEXC vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEXC drawdown since its inception was -15.07%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEXC and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEXC	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.07%	-98.19%	+83.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-27.26%	+14.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.26%	—
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	-6.22%	-88.16%	+81.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.45%	-75.31%	+72.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	10.02%	-6.63%

Volatility

DEXC vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF (DEXC) has a higher volatility of 13.89% compared to United States Oil Fund LP (USO) at 11.79%. This indicates that DEXC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEXC	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.89%	11.79%	+2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.10%	39.34%	-17.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.74%	44.35%	-20.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.74%	36.32%	-14.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.74%	39.02%	-17.28%

DEXC vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEXC has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEXC vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

DEXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DEXC Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF	1.97%	1.97%	0.19%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEXC and USO in my portfolio?

DEXC and USO have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEXC or USO?

DEXC has higher volatility (13.89%) compared to USO (11.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEXC dropped -15.07% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, DEXC or USO?

On 1-year performance, DEXC leads with 55.75% vs 45.61% for USO. On fees, DEXC is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, USO has been the lower-risk option at 11.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEXC or USO?

Over the 1-year period, DEXC has performed better with a 55.75% return vs 45.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEXC or USO?

DEXC is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

DEXC has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between DEXC and USO?

DEXC is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional Fund Advisors and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DEXC and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 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.