DWAS vs. USL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DWAS (Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - DWAS is a Momentum fund tracking the Dorsey Wright SmallCap Technical Leaders Index, while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DWAS returned 13.13%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for USL. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DWAS charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

DWAS vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWAS achieves a 19.58% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 60.58% return. Over the past 10 years, DWAS has outperformed USL with an annualized return of 13.13%, while USL has yielded a comparatively lower 10.74% annualized return.

DWAS

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 19.58%
• 6M: 22.17%
• 1Y: 41.87%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 6.47%
• 10Y*: 13.13%

USL

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 60.58%
• 6M: 58.21%
• 1Y: 56.66%
• 3Y*: 17.81%
• 5Y*: 17.18%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

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

DWAS vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DWAS Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF	19.58%	6.09%	9.81%	16.88%	-18.51%	19.75%	32.32%	31.39%	-10.68%	20.84%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	60.58%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between DWAS and USL is -0.25, 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	-0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 20, 2012	0.22

The correlation between DWAS and USL shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.22 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DWAS vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DWAS	USL
Healthcare	28.2%	-
Technology	18.6%	-
Industrials	16.9%	-
Financial Services	13.0%	4.5%
Energy	7.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	-
Basic Materials	4.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Communication Services	1.1%	-
Utilities	0.3%	-

Return for Risk

DWAS vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWAS

DWAS Risk / Return Rank: 61
DWAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
DWAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
DWAS Omega Ratio Rank: 48
DWAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
DWAS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 53
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

DWAS vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). 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.

	DWAS	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.00	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.54	-0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.33	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	3.67	+0.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.89	7.44	+6.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DWAS vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWAS Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWAS and USL, 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

	DWAS	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	2.00	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.57	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.33	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.01	+0.48

Drawdowns

DWAS vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWAS drawdown since its inception was -46.16%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWAS and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWAS	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.16%	-89.06%	+42.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.02%	-16.76%	+6.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.83%	-23.33%	-10.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.83%	-33.82%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.16%	-66.02%	+19.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-39.10%	+37.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.30%	-61.46%	+51.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	8.26%	-5.20%

Volatility

DWAS vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS) is 6.77%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 11.15%. This indicates that DWAS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWAS	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.77%	11.15%	-4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.03%	23.30%	-6.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.80%	28.65%	-5.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.71%	30.07%	-4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.61%	32.35%	-5.74%

DWAS vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWAS has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWAS vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

DWAS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWAS Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF	0.01%	0.07%	0.79%	1.42%	0.81%	0.16%	0.21%	0.13%	0.04%	0.20%	0.52%	0.19%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DWAS and USL in my portfolio?

DWAS and USL have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DWAS or USL?

USL has higher volatility (11.15%) compared to DWAS (6.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWAS dropped -46.16% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, DWAS or USL?

On 10-year performance, DWAS leads with 13.13% vs 10.74% for USL. On fees, DWAS is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, DWAS has been the lower-risk option at 6.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DWAS or USL?

Over the 10-year period, DWAS has performed better with a 13.13% return vs 10.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DWAS or USL?

DWAS is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for USL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DWAS or USL?

DWAS has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between DWAS and USL?

DWAS is categorized as Momentum, while USL is Oil & Gas. DWAS tracks Dorsey Wright SmallCap Technical Leaders Index, while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for DWAS and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.85), 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.