GDT vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDT (WisdomTree Efficient TIPS Plus Gold Fund) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - GDT is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by WisdomTree, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. GDT is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. GDT charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

GDT vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Efficient TIPS Plus Gold Fund (GDT) and United States Oil Fund LP (USO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

GDT

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -1.71%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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%

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

GDT vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
GDT WisdomTree Efficient TIPS Plus Gold Fund	-8.05%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	96.13%

Correlation

The correlation between GDT and USO is -0.14, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2026	-0.14

Return for Risk

GDT vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 66
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

GDT vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Efficient TIPS Plus Gold Fund (GDT) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDT	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.31	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.63	-0.18	-0.45

Drawdowns

GDT vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDT drawdown since its inception was -18.06%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDT and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDT	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.06%	-98.19%	+80.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-20.39%	—
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	-16.07%	-85.01%	+68.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.90%	-75.30%	+65.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	10.82%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GDT	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	14.87%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	38.23%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.36%	44.20%	-10.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.36%	36.06%	-2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.36%	39.00%	-5.64%

GDT vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDT has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDT vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

GDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
GDT WisdomTree Efficient TIPS Plus Gold Fund	1.77%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDT and USO in my portfolio?

GDT and USO have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GDT or USO?

On fees, GDT is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDT or USO?

GDT is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

GDT has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between GDT and USO?

GDT is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for GDT and 0.86% for USO.