IDUB vs. USO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IDUB (Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - IDUB is a Long-Short fund actively managed by Aptus, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. IDUB is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IDUB returned 17.49%/yr vs 21.25%/yr for USO. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IDUB charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

IDUB vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF (IDUB) 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, IDUB achieves a 14.34% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 60.87% return.

IDUB

• 1D: -2.69%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 14.34%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.78%
• 3Y*: 17.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: -21.05%
• YTD: 60.87%
• 6M: 58.26%
• 1Y: 45.61%
• 3Y*: 21.25%
• 5Y*: 17.42%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

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

IDUB vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IDUB Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF	14.34%	27.53%	6.12%	9.07%	-19.79%	-1.16%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	60.87%	-8.46%	13.35%	-4.94%	28.97%	10.56%

Correlation

The correlation between IDUB and USO is -0.36, 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	-0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2021	0.08

The correlation between IDUB and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.36 (1 year) to 0.08 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IDUB vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDUB

IDUB Risk / Return Rank: 63
IDUB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
IDUB Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IDUB Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IDUB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IDUB Martin Ratio Rank: 64

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 32
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 32
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

IDUB vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF (IDUB) 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.

	IDUB	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.05	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	1.68	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.21	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	1.68	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.92	4.57	+6.35

IDUB vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDUB Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDUB 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

IDUB vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDUB drawdown since its inception was -29.20%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDUB and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDUB	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.20%	-98.19%	+68.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.46%	-27.26%	+15.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.88%	-27.26%	+14.38%
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	-2.69%	-88.16%	+85.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.06%	-75.31%	+64.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	10.02%	-7.10%

Volatility

IDUB vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF (IDUB) is 6.55%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 11.79%. This indicates that IDUB 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

	IDUB	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.55%	11.79%	-5.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.22%	39.34%	-25.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.44%	44.35%	-27.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.80%	36.32%	-21.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.80%	39.02%	-24.22%

IDUB vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDUB has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDUB vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

IDUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IDUB Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF	5.06%	4.90%	5.64%	3.71%	2.62%	1.38%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDUB and USO in my portfolio?

IDUB and USO have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDUB or USO?

USO has higher volatility (11.79%) compared to IDUB (6.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDUB dropped -29.20% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, IDUB or USO?

On 3-year performance, USO leads with 21.25% vs 17.49% for IDUB. On fees, IDUB is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IDUB has been the lower-risk option at 6.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDUB or USO?

Over the 3-year period, USO has performed better with a 21.25% return vs 17.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDUB or USO?

IDUB is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

IDUB has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between IDUB and USO?

IDUB is categorized as Long-Short, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Aptus and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for IDUB and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDUB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.05), 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.