FFLS vs. USO

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

FFLS (The Future Fund Long/Short ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FFLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by The Future Fund, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. FFLS is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FFLS returned 8.72%/yr vs 21.22%/yr for USO. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. FFLS charges 1.75%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

FFLS vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Future Fund Long/Short ETF (FFLS) 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, FFLS achieves a -0.46% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 73.76% return.

FFLS

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 2.83%
• 6M: -2.74%
• YTD: -0.46%
• 1Y: -2.03%
• 3Y*: 8.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: 2.02%
• 1M: -4.19%
• 6M: 63.54%
• YTD: 73.76%
• 1Y: 58.91%
• 3Y*: 21.22%
• 5Y*: 19.63%
• 10Y*: 3.17%

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

FFLS vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FFLS The Future Fund Long/Short ETF	-0.46%	7.49%	17.71%	0.79%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	73.76%	-8.46%	13.35%	4.27%

Correlation

The correlation between FFLS and USO 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	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2023	-0.04

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FFLS and USO has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.04 to -0.25, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

FFLS vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFLS

FFLS Risk / Return Rank: 7
FFLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FFLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
FFLS Omega Ratio Rank: 6
FFLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FFLS Martin Ratio Rank: 7

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 46
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

FFLS vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Future Fund Long/Short ETF (FFLS) 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.

	FFLS	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	1.32	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.22	1.99	-2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.25	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	1.82	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.37	4.88	-5.25

FFLS vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFLS Sharpe Ratio is -0.21, which is lower than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFLS 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

FFLS vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFLS drawdown since its inception was -11.05%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFLS and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFLS	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.05%	-98.19%	+87.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.05%	-32.49%	+21.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.05%	-32.49%	+21.44%
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	-5.15%	-87.21%	+82.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.20%	-75.35%	+72.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.42%	12.11%	-6.69%

Volatility

FFLS vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Future Fund Long/Short ETF (FFLS) is 3.77%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.67%. This indicates that FFLS 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

	FFLS	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	14.67%	-10.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.14%	40.75%	-32.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.83%	44.93%	-35.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.38%	36.68%	-25.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.38%	39.08%	-27.70%

FFLS vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFLS has a 1.75% expense ratio, which is higher than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFLS vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

FFLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FFLS The Future Fund Long/Short ETF	6.61%	6.58%	3.34%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFLS and USO in my portfolio?

FFLS and USO 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, FFLS or USO?

USO has higher volatility (14.67%) compared to FFLS (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFLS dropped -11.05% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, FFLS or USO?

On 3-year performance, USO leads with 21.22% vs 8.72% for FFLS. On fees, USO is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, FFLS has been the lower-risk option at 3.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FFLS or USO?

Over the 3-year period, USO has performed better with a 21.22% return vs 8.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FFLS or USO?

USO is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.75% for FFLS.

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

FFLS has the higher dividend yield at 6.61%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between FFLS and USO?

FFLS is categorized as Long-Short, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: The Future Fund and USCF. Their fees differ too: 1.75% for FFLS and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -0.21), 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.