GJAN vs. USO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GJAN (FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - GJAN is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GJAN returned 11.75%/yr vs 21.76%/yr for USO. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. GJAN charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

GJAN vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January (GJAN) 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, GJAN achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 62.94% return.

GJAN

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 5.01%
• 1Y: 14.69%
• 3Y*: 11.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -20.03%
• YTD: 62.94%
• 6M: 61.61%
• 1Y: 35.58%
• 3Y*: 21.76%
• 5Y*: 17.78%
• 10Y*: 2.14%

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

GJAN vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January	4.88%	10.71%	12.09%	13.83%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	62.94%	-8.46%	13.35%	-6.85%

Correlation

The correlation between GJAN and USO is -0.32, 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	-0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2023	-0.03

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between GJAN and USO has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.03 to -0.32, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

GJAN vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GJAN

GJAN Risk / Return Rank: 80
GJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
GJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
GJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
GJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 26
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 26
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

GJAN vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January (GJAN) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GJAN	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	0.81	+1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	1.38	+2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.17	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	1.36	+1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.13	3.61	+12.52

GJAN vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GJAN 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.

Drawdowns

GJAN vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GJAN drawdown since its inception was -10.60%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GJAN and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GJAN	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.60%	-98.19%	+87.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.71%	-26.33%	+21.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.60%	-26.33%	+15.73%
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	-0.36%	-88.01%	+87.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-75.31%	+74.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	11.59%	-10.68%

Volatility

GJAN vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - January (GJAN) is 1.63%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 11.79%. This indicates that GJAN 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

	GJAN	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.63%	11.79%	-10.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.86%	39.34%	-34.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.88%	44.41%	-38.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.60%	36.32%	-28.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.60%	39.05%	-31.45%

GJAN vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GJAN has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

GJAN vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

Neither GJAN nor USO has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GJAN and USO in my portfolio?

GJAN and USO have a correlation of -0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GJAN or USO?

USO has higher volatility (11.79%) compared to GJAN (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GJAN dropped -10.60% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, GJAN or USO?

On 3-year performance, USO leads with 21.76% vs 11.75% for GJAN. On fees, GJAN is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, GJAN has been the lower-risk option at 1.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GJAN or USO?

Over the 3-year period, USO has performed better with a 21.76% return vs 11.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GJAN or USO?

GJAN is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

GJAN and USO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GJAN and USO?

GJAN is categorized as Defined Outcome, while USO is Oil & Gas. GJAN tracks S&P 500, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GJAN and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.81), 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.