PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo
IAGG vs. USO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

IAGG vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and United States Oil Fund LP (USO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAGG achieves a 0.92% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return. Over the past 10 years, IAGG has underperformed USO with an annualized return of 2.17%, while USO has yielded a comparatively higher 4.07% annualized return.


IAGG

1D
-0.20%
1M
0.66%
YTD
0.92%
6M
0.72%
1Y
2.30%
3Y*
4.59%
5Y*
1.11%
10Y*
2.17%

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)

IAGG vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IAGG
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF
0.92%3.26%4.51%8.49%-10.86%-1.87%4.63%7.99%3.38%2.09%
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 IAGG and USO is -0.48, 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

-0.48

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.25

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.20

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.16

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2015

-0.15

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between IAGG and USO has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.15 to -0.48, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.


Return for Risk

IAGG vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAGG
IAGG Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
IAGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAGG Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
IAGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 2222
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAGG Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank

USO
USO Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IAGG vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) 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.


IAGGUSODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-1.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-1.70

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.38

-0.24

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.00

5.01

-4.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.99

9.42

-6.43

IAGG vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAGG Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAGG 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.


Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period


IAGGUSODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.81

2.31

-1.50

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

0.68

-0.43

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.54

0.10

+0.43

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.62

-0.18

+0.79

Drawdowns

IAGG vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAGG drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAGG and USO.


Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators


IAGGUSODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.88%

-98.19%

+84.31%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.32%

-20.39%

+18.07%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-2.32%

-26.05%

+23.73%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-13.57%

-36.23%

+22.66%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.88%

-86.75%

+72.87%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.98%

-85.01%

+84.03%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.85%

-75.30%

+72.45%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.77%

10.82%

-10.05%

Volatility

IAGG vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) is 1.18%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that IAGG 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.


Loading charts...

Volatility by Period


IAGGUSODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.18%

14.87%

-13.69%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.40%

38.23%

-35.83%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.84%

44.20%

-41.36%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

4.51%

36.06%

-31.55%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.05%

39.00%

-34.95%

IAGG vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAGG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.


Dividends

IAGG vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

IAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IAGG
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF
3.66%3.08%4.28%3.55%2.27%1.16%1.95%2.82%3.02%1.74%1.56%0.13%
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%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions


IAGG and USO have a correlation of -0.48, 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 IAGG (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAGG dropped -13.88% vs USO's -98.19%.

On 10-year performance, USO leads with 4.07% vs 2.17% for IAGG. On fees, IAGG is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IAGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, USO has performed better with a 4.07% return vs 2.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IAGG is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

IAGG has the higher dividend yield at 3.66%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

IAGG is categorized as Global Bonds, while USO is Oil & Gas. IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: iShares and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IAGG and 0.86% for USO.

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IAGG and USO

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer