EFFI vs. USO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

EFFI (Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - EFFI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. EFFI is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, EFFI returned 20.38% vs 35.58% for USO. At a correlation of -0.23, they often move in opposite directions. EFFI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

EFFI vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF (EFFI) 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, EFFI achieves a 5.11% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 62.94% return.

EFFI

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 5.11%
• 6M: 5.37%
• 1Y: 20.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -20.03%
• YTD: 62.94%
• 6M: 61.61%
• 1Y: 35.58%
• 3Y*: 21.76%
• 5Y*: 17.78%
• 10Y*: 2.14%

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

EFFI vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EFFI Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF	5.11%	33.41%	-3.24%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	62.94%	-8.46%	3.03%

Correlation

The correlation between EFFI and USO is -0.37, 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	-0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	-0.23

The correlation between EFFI and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.37 (1 year) to -0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EFFI vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFFI

EFFI Risk / Return Rank: 41
EFFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
EFFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
EFFI Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EFFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
EFFI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 26
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 26
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

EFFI vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF (EFFI) 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.

	EFFI	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	0.81	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	1.38	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.17	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	1.36	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.21	3.61	+3.59

EFFI vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFFI Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFFI 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

EFFI vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFFI drawdown since its inception was -13.64%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFFI and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFFI	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.64%	-98.19%	+84.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.55%	-26.33%	+15.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.33%	—
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	-1.05%	-88.01%	+86.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.80%	-75.31%	+73.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	11.59%	-8.75%

Volatility

EFFI vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF (EFFI) is 3.67%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 11.79%. This indicates that EFFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFFI	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	11.79%	-8.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.22%	39.34%	-27.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.86%	44.41%	-29.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.53%	36.32%	-19.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.53%	39.05%	-22.52%

EFFI vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFFI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFFI vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

EFFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
EFFI Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF	4.12%	4.33%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFFI and USO in my portfolio?

EFFI and USO have a correlation of -0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFFI or USO?

USO has higher volatility (11.79%) compared to EFFI (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFFI dropped -13.64% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, EFFI or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 35.58% vs 20.38% for EFFI. On fees, EFFI is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, EFFI has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFFI or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 35.58% return vs 20.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFFI or USO?

EFFI is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

EFFI has the higher dividend yield at 4.12%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between EFFI and USO?

EFFI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for EFFI and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EFFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.81), 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.