FTCE vs. USO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTCE (First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FTCE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTCE returned 37.80% vs 97.37% for USO. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. FTCE charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

FTCE vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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, FTCE achieves a 14.69% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 98.48% return.

FTCE

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 10.79%
• YTD: 14.69%
• 6M: 15.43%
• 1Y: 37.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

FTCE vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	14.69%	26.14%	-0.04%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	98.48%	-8.46%	-0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCE and USO is -0.29, 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	-0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2024	-0.12

The correlation between FTCE and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to -0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTCE vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCE

FTCE Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTCE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FTCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTCE Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

FTCE vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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.

	FTCE	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.91	2.22	+0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	2.81	+1.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.37	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	5.12	-1.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.49	9.66	+4.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTCE vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCE Sharpe Ratio is 2.91, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCE 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

	FTCE	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91	2.22	+0.70
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	1.50	-0.18	+1.68

Drawdowns

FTCE vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCE drawdown since its inception was -18.11%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCE and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCE	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-98.19%	+80.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	-20.39%	+10.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.05%	—
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	0.00%	-85.39%	+85.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-75.30%	+72.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	10.81%	-8.17%

Volatility

FTCE vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) is 3.33%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 15.03%. This indicates that FTCE 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

	FTCE	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	15.03%	-11.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	38.18%	-28.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.03%	44.26%	-31.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	36.04%	-19.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.76%	39.00%	-22.24%

FTCE vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCE has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCE vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

FTCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	0.79%	0.96%	0.28%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCE and USO in my portfolio?

FTCE and USO have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTCE or USO?

USO has higher volatility (15.03%) compared to FTCE (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCE dropped -18.11% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, FTCE or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 97.37% vs 37.80% for FTCE. On fees, FTCE is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTCE has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCE or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 97.37% return vs 37.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCE or USO?

FTCE is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

FTCE has the higher dividend yield at 0.79%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between FTCE and USO?

FTCE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. FTCE tracks Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTCE and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 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.