DRLL vs. OILU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) and OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index, while OILU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DRLL returned 12.74%/yr vs 1.15%/yr for OILU. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. DRLL charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for OILU.

Performance

DRLL vs. OILU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRLL achieves a 36.69% return, which is significantly lower than OILU's 95.09% return.

DRLL

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 14.19%
• 6M: 21.14%
• YTD: 36.69%
• 1Y: 44.82%
• 3Y*: 12.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.77%

OILU

• 1D: 3.79%
• 1M: 38.67%
• 6M: 37.11%
• YTD: 95.09%
• 1Y: 107.91%
• 3Y*: 1.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.25%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$463.62K	$500.96K	$563.89K
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	$8.21M	$8.45M	$7.94M

DRLL vs. OILU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	36.69%	7.74%	0.02%	-1.84%	15.52%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	95.09%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	32.63%

Correlation

The correlation between DRLL and OILU is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2022	0.98

The correlation between DRLL and OILU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

DRLL vs. OILU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DRLL	OILU
Energy	99.1%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DRLL vs. OILU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 70
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 53

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 56
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 45

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DRLL vs. OILU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). 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.

	DRLL	OILU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.50	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.96	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.07	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.27	5.11	+1.16

DRLL vs. OILU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRLL Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the OILU Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRLL and OILU, 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

DRLL vs. OILU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRLL drawdown since its inception was -23.73%, smaller than the maximum OILU drawdown of -81.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRLL and OILU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRLL	OILU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.73%	-81.00%	+57.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.99%	-46.49%	+29.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-69.09%	+45.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.30%	-47.53%	+43.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.14%	-50.69%	+42.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.68%	18.88%	-12.20%

Volatility

DRLL vs. OILU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) is 6.71%, while MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) has a volatility of 19.22%. This indicates that DRLL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OILU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRLL	OILU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	19.22%	-12.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.75%	51.99%	-33.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.03%	64.36%	-41.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.80%	80.80%	-57.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.80%	80.80%	-57.00%

DRLL vs. OILU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRLL has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than OILU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRLL vs. OILU - Dividend Comparison

DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, while OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.22%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRLL and OILU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, DRLL and OILU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DRLL or OILU?

OILU has higher volatility (19.22%) compared to DRLL (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRLL dropped -23.73% vs OILU's -81.00%.

Which ETF is better, DRLL or OILU?

On 3-year performance, DRLL leads with 12.74% vs 1.15% for OILU. On fees, DRLL is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, DRLL has been the lower-risk option at 6.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DRLL or OILU?

Over the 3-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 12.74% return vs 1.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DRLL or OILU?

DRLL is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for OILU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DRLL or OILU?

DRLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.22%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between DRLL and OILU?

DRLL is categorized as Energy Equities, while OILU is Leveraged Equities. DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index, while OILU tracks Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. They also come from different issuers: Strive and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for DRLL and 0.95% for OILU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRLL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.50), 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.