IQDG vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQDG (WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - IQDG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IQDG returned 7.63%/yr vs 4.07%/yr for USO. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IQDG charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

IQDG vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund (IQDG) 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, IQDG achieves a 3.16% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return. Over the past 10 years, IQDG has outperformed USO with an annualized return of 7.63%, while USO has yielded a comparatively lower 4.07% annualized return.

IQDG

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 3.16%
• 6M: 5.94%
• 1Y: 12.72%
• 3Y*: 10.23%
• 5Y*: 3.78%
• 10Y*: 7.63%

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)

IQDG vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IQDG WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund	3.16%	24.19%	-3.38%	20.76%	-19.97%	12.28%	16.58%	30.03%	-16.81%	30.64%
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 IQDG and USO is -0.43, 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	-0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2016	0.14

The correlation between IQDG and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.43 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IQDG vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQDG

IQDG Risk / Return Rank: 23
IQDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IQDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
IQDG Omega Ratio Rank: 22
IQDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IQDG Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

IQDG vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund (IQDG) 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.

	IQDG	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	2.31	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	2.89	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.38	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	5.01	-3.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.38	9.42	-6.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQDG vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQDG Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQDG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IQDG	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	2.31	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.68	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.10	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	-0.18	+0.63

Drawdowns

IQDG vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQDG drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQDG and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQDG	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.97%	-98.19%	+63.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.35%	-20.39%	+8.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.12%	-26.05%	+7.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.97%	-36.23%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.97%	-86.75%	+51.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.71%	-85.01%	+81.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.52%	-75.30%	+67.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	10.82%	-7.04%

Volatility

IQDG vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund (IQDG) is 5.18%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that IQDG 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

	IQDG	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	14.87%	-9.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.30%	38.23%	-24.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.18%	44.20%	-28.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.80%	36.06%	-18.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.53%	39.00%	-21.47%

IQDG vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQDG has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQDG vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

IQDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
IQDG WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund	2.14%	2.28%	2.60%	1.76%	4.18%	2.67%	1.65%	1.95%	1.96%	1.71%	1.35%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQDG and USO in my portfolio?

IQDG and USO have a correlation of -0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQDG or USO?

USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to IQDG (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQDG dropped -34.97% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, IQDG or USO?

On 10-year performance, IQDG leads with 7.63% vs 4.07% for USO. On fees, IQDG is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IQDG has been the lower-risk option at 5.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQDG or USO?

Over the 10-year period, IQDG has performed better with a 7.63% return vs 4.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQDG or USO?

IQDG is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

IQDG has the higher dividend yield at 2.14%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between IQDG and USO?

IQDG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. IQDG tracks WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IQDG and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.79), 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.