FYC vs. USL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FYC (First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FYC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index, while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYC returned 14.30%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for USL. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FYC charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

FYC vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FYC achieves a 20.01% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 63.07% return. Over the past 10 years, FYC has outperformed USL with an annualized return of 14.30%, while USL has yielded a comparatively lower 10.91% annualized return.

FYC

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 20.01%
• 6M: 20.96%
• 1Y: 53.40%
• 3Y*: 26.12%
• 5Y*: 10.47%
• 10Y*: 14.30%

USL

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 63.07%
• 6M: 59.66%
• 1Y: 57.86%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 17.41%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

FYC vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	20.01%	24.24%	23.99%	14.52%	-25.86%	21.64%	32.34%	16.79%	-5.54%	22.97%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	63.07%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between FYC and USL is -0.28, 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	-0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2011	0.24

The correlation between FYC and USL shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FYC vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FYC	USL
Healthcare	27.9%	-
Technology	13.7%	-
Industrials	13.4%	-
Financial Services	10.3%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Real Estate	8.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	-
Basic Materials	3.4%	-
Communication Services	3.4%	-
Energy	3.4%	-
Utilities	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

FYC vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FYC

FYC Risk / Return Rank: 79
FYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
FYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FYC Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FYC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

FYC vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). 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.

	FYC	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.04	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	2.58	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.34	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.12	3.47	+1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.64	7.02	+11.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FYC vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYC Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYC and USL, 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

	FYC	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.04	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.58	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.34	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.01	+0.53

Drawdowns

FYC vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYC drawdown since its inception was -47.85%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYC and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYC	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.85%	-89.06%	+41.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-16.76%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.79%	-23.33%	-4.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.37%	-33.82%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.85%	-66.02%	+18.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-38.16%	+36.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-61.46%	+51.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	8.27%	-5.40%

Volatility

FYC vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) is 5.53%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that FYC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYC	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	10.53%	-5.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.99%	23.33%	-8.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.03%	28.54%	-7.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.62%	30.08%	-6.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.57%	32.35%	-7.78%

FYC vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYC has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is lower than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYC vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

FYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.07%	0.08%	0.72%	0.58%	0.00%	0.63%	0.12%	0.39%	0.09%	0.10%	0.31%	0.21%
USL United States 12 Month 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%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYC and USL in my portfolio?

FYC and USL have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FYC or USL?

USL has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to FYC (5.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYC dropped -47.85% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, FYC or USL?

On 10-year performance, FYC leads with 14.30% vs 10.91% for USL. On fees, FYC is cheaper at 0.71% per year. On volatility, FYC has been the lower-risk option at 5.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FYC or USL?

Over the 10-year period, FYC has performed better with a 14.30% return vs 10.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYC or USL?

FYC is cheaper with a 0.71% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for USL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FYC or USL?

FYC has the higher dividend yield at 0.07%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between FYC and USL?

FYC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while USL is Oil & Gas. FYC tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index, while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.71% for FYC and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.04), 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.