EMEQ vs. USOY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMEQ (Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and USOY (Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMEQ is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Nomura, while USOY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, EMEQ returned 166.45% vs 57.29% for USOY. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. EMEQ charges 0.86%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for USOY.

Performance

EMEQ vs. USOY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ) and Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMEQ achieves a 78.09% return, which is significantly higher than USOY's 62.18% return.

EMEQ

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 23.68%
• YTD: 78.09%
• 6M: 88.05%
• 1Y: 166.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USOY

• 1D: 1.45%
• 1M: -3.43%
• YTD: 62.18%
• 6M: 59.35%
• 1Y: 57.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EMEQ vs. USOY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF	78.09%	69.78%	-1.16%
USOY Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF	62.18%	-7.93%	15.63%

Correlation

The correlation between EMEQ and USOY 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	-0.06

The correlation between EMEQ and USOY shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to -0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EMEQ vs. USOY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMEQ

EMEQ Risk / Return Rank: 96
EMEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
EMEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
EMEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
EMEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
EMEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 96

USOY

USOY Risk / Return Rank: 56
USOY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
USOY Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
USOY Omega Ratio Rank: 55
USOY Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
USOY Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

EMEQ vs. USOY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ) and Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY). 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.

	EMEQ	USOY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.22	1.89	+3.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.25	2.30	+2.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.75	1.35	+0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.35	4.03	+5.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	37.42	7.74	+29.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMEQ vs. USOY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMEQ Sharpe Ratio is 5.22, which is higher than the USOY Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMEQ and USOY, 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

	EMEQ	USOY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.22	1.89	+3.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.95	0.99	+1.96

Drawdowns

EMEQ vs. USOY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMEQ drawdown since its inception was -19.99%, which is greater than USOY's maximum drawdown of -17.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMEQ and USOY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMEQ	USOY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.99%	-17.46%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.91%	-14.29%	-3.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-5.11%	+3.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-6.47%	+2.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.47%	7.42%	-2.95%

Volatility

EMEQ vs. USOY - Volatility Comparison

Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ) has a higher volatility of 15.18% compared to Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY) at 11.62%. This indicates that EMEQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USOY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMEQ	USOY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.18%	11.62%	+3.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.51%	27.18%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.10%	30.44%	+1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.97%	26.13%	+3.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.97%	26.13%	+3.84%

EMEQ vs. USOY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMEQ has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is lower than USOY's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMEQ vs. USOY - Dividend Comparison

EMEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, less than USOY's 54.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.55%	2.76%	0.84%
USOY Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF	54.16%	104.32%	48.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMEQ and USOY in my portfolio?

EMEQ and USOY 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, EMEQ or USOY?

EMEQ has higher volatility (15.18%) compared to USOY (11.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMEQ dropped -19.99% vs USOY's -17.46%.

Which ETF is better, EMEQ or USOY?

On 1-year performance, EMEQ leads with 166.45% vs 57.29% for USOY. On fees, EMEQ is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, USOY has been the lower-risk option at 11.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMEQ or USOY?

Over the 1-year period, EMEQ has performed better with a 166.45% return vs 57.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMEQ or USOY?

EMEQ is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.22% for USOY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMEQ or USOY?

USOY has the higher dividend yield at 54.16%, compared with 1.55% for EMEQ.

What is the main difference between EMEQ and USOY?

EMEQ is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while USOY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Nomura and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for EMEQ and 1.22% for USOY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.22 vs 1.89), 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.