EMET vs. USO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EMET (VanEck Copper and Green Metals ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - EMET is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Clean-Tech Metals Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMET returned 22.88%/yr vs 28.86%/yr for USO. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMET charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

EMET vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Copper and Green Metals ETF (EMET) 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, EMET achieves a 28.94% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 98.48% return.

EMET

• 1D: 3.51%
• 1M: 11.17%
• YTD: 28.94%
• 6M: 44.80%
• 1Y: 126.38%
• 3Y*: 22.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: -3.87%
• YTD: 98.48%
• 6M: 95.54%
• 1Y: 97.37%
• 3Y*: 28.86%
• 5Y*: 23.92%
• 10Y*: 3.80%

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

EMET vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
EMET VanEck Copper and Green Metals ETF	28.94%	81.22%	-12.81%	-12.28%	-17.15%	-0.14%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	98.48%	-8.46%	13.35%	-4.94%	28.97%	-3.31%

Correlation

The correlation between EMET and USO is -0.20, 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	-0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2021	0.20

The correlation between EMET and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.20 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EMET vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMET

EMET Risk / Return Rank: 85
EMET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMET Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
EMET Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EMET Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
EMET Martin Ratio Rank: 82

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 66
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

EMET vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Copper and Green Metals ETF (EMET) 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.

	EMET	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.55	2.22	+1.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	2.81	+0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.37	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.87	5.12	-0.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.70	9.66	+7.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMET vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMET Sharpe Ratio is 3.55, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMET 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EMET	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55	2.22	+1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.67	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	-0.18	+0.45

Drawdowns

EMET vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMET drawdown since its inception was -53.05%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMET and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMET	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.05%	-98.19%	+45.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.58%	-20.39%	-5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.50%	-26.05%	-14.45%
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	-2.27%	-85.39%	+83.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.85%	-75.30%	+50.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.47%	10.81%	-3.34%

Volatility

EMET vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Copper and Green Metals ETF (EMET) is 12.43%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 15.03%. This indicates that EMET 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

	EMET	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.43%	15.03%	-2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.62%	38.18%	-7.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.81%	44.26%	-8.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.94%	36.04%	-3.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.94%	39.00%	-6.06%

EMET vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMET has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMET vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

EMET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EMET VanEck Copper and Green Metals ETF	1.43%	1.84%	1.89%	2.02%	2.56%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMET and USO in my portfolio?

EMET and USO have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMET or USO?

USO has higher volatility (15.03%) compared to EMET (12.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMET dropped -53.05% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, EMET or USO?

On 3-year performance, USO leads with 28.86% vs 22.88% for EMET. On fees, EMET is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, EMET has been the lower-risk option at 12.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMET or USO?

Over the 3-year period, USO has performed better with a 28.86% return vs 22.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMET or USO?

EMET is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

EMET has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between EMET and USO?

EMET is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. EMET tracks MVIS Global Clean-Tech Metals Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for EMET and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMET currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.55 vs 2.22), 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.