FTXL vs. USO
FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXL returned 34.63%/yr vs 24.41%/yr for USO. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.
Performance
FTXL vs. USO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 115.70% return, which is significantly higher than USO's 103.67% return.
FTXL
- 1D
- 2.21%
- 1M
- 30.59%
- YTD
- 115.70%
- 6M
- 113.17%
- 1Y
- 225.15%
- 3Y*
- 61.52%
- 5Y*
- 34.63%
- 10Y*
- —
USO
- 1D
- 2.62%
- 1M
- -4.57%
- YTD
- 103.67%
- 6M
- 99.35%
- 1Y
- 101.55%
- 3Y*
- 29.98%
- 5Y*
- 24.41%
- 10Y*
- 4.07%
FTXL vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 115.70% | 48.94% | 7.59% | 54.41% | -33.88% | 36.04% | 46.08% | 61.77% | -14.47% | 32.19% |
USO United States Oil Fund LP | 103.67% | -8.46% | 13.35% | -4.94% | 28.97% | 64.68% | -67.79% | 32.61% | -19.57% | 2.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTXL and USO is -0.19, 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 | -0.19 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016 | 0.12 |
The correlation between FTXL and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTXL vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank
FTXL
USO
FTXL vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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.
| FTXL | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 6.33 | 2.31 | +4.02 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 5.74 | 2.89 | +2.85 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.78 | 1.38 | +0.40 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 15.62 | 5.01 | +10.61 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 58.28 | 9.42 | +48.86 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FTXL | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.33 | 2.31 | +4.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 | 0.68 | +0.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.10 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.94 | -0.18 | +1.11 |
Drawdowns
FTXL vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and USO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTXL | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.87% | -98.19% | +54.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.51% | -20.39% | +5.88% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.57% | -26.05% | -15.52% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.87% | -36.23% | -7.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -86.75% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -85.01% | +85.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.56% | -75.30% | +64.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.88% | 10.82% | -6.94% |
Volatility
FTXL vs. USO - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and United States Oil Fund LP (USO) have volatilities of 14.28% and 14.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTXL | USO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.28% | 14.87% | -0.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.98% | 38.23% | -9.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 35.94% | 44.20% | -8.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.02% | 36.06% | -0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.25% | 39.00% | -4.75% |
FTXL vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTXL vs. USO - Dividend Comparison
FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 0.12% | 0.28% | 0.54% | 0.60% | 0.89% | 0.25% | 0.48% | 0.92% | 0.71% | 0.47% | 0.12% |
USO United States Oil Fund LP | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTXL and USO have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to FTXL (14.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs USO's -98.19%.
On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 24.41% for USO. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTXL has been the lower-risk option at 14.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 24.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.
FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.00% for USO.
FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while USO is Oil & Gas. FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor 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 FTXL and 0.86% for USO.
FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 2.31), 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.
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