FTHF vs. USO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTHF (First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FTHF is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Emerging Markets Human Flourishing Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTHF returned 113.71% vs 97.37% for USO. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. FTHF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

FTHF vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) 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, FTHF achieves a 54.07% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 98.48% return.

FTHF

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 17.56%
• YTD: 54.07%
• 6M: 64.60%
• 1Y: 113.71%
• 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)

FTHF vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	54.07%	65.30%	-8.14%	18.14%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	98.48%	-8.46%	13.35%	-11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between FTHF and USO is -0.33, 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	-0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2023	-0.03

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FTHF and USO has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.03 to -0.33, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

FTHF vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTHF

FTHF Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FTHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTHF Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FTHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FTHF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FTHF vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) 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.

	FTHF	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.50	2.22	+1.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	2.81	+1.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.37	+0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.11	5.12	+1.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.04	9.66	+10.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTHF vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTHF Sharpe Ratio is 3.50, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTHF 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

	FTHF	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50	2.22	+1.28
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	1.91	-0.18	+2.09

Drawdowns

FTHF vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTHF drawdown since its inception was -17.36%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHF and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTHF	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.36%	-98.19%	+80.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-20.39%	+4.08%
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	-4.22%	-75.30%	+71.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.79%	10.81%	-5.02%

Volatility

FTHF vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) is 11.87%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 15.03%. This indicates that FTHF 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

	FTHF	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.87%	15.03%	-3.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.37%	38.18%	-13.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.70%	44.26%	-11.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.44%	36.04%	-10.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	39.00%	-13.56%

FTHF vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTHF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTHF vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

FTHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	2.93%	4.40%	3.34%	0.51%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTHF and USO in my portfolio?

FTHF and USO have a correlation of -0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTHF or USO?

USO has higher volatility (15.03%) compared to FTHF (11.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHF dropped -17.36% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, FTHF or USO?

On 1-year performance, FTHF leads with 113.71% vs 97.37% for USO. On fees, FTHF is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FTHF has been the lower-risk option at 11.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTHF or USO?

Over the 1-year period, FTHF has performed better with a 113.71% return vs 97.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTHF or USO?

FTHF is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

FTHF has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between FTHF and USO?

FTHF is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while USO is Oil & Gas. FTHF tracks Emerging Markets Human Flourishing Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTHF and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.50 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.