IXC vs. OILU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while OILU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IXC returned 16.60%/yr vs 1.15%/yr for OILU. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for OILU.

Performance

IXC vs. OILU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 34.71% return, which is significantly lower than OILU's 95.09% return.

IXC

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 13.16%
• 6M: 19.17%
• YTD: 34.71%
• 1Y: 45.16%
• 3Y*: 16.60%
• 5Y*: 22.34%
• 10Y*: 10.52%
• ALL TIME*: 8.52%

OILU

• 1D: 3.79%
• 1M: 38.67%
• 6M: 37.11%
• YTD: 95.09%
• 1Y: 107.91%
• 3Y*: 1.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.25%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF	$40.96M	$62.51M	$57.88M
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	$8.21M	$8.45M	$7.94M

IXC vs. OILU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF	34.71%	13.98%	1.95%	3.92%	48.51%	-4.25%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	95.09%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	151.08%	-16.79%

Correlation

The correlation between IXC and OILU is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.96

The correlation between IXC and OILU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXC vs. OILU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXC	OILU
Energy	99.5%	100.0%
Utilities	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

IXC vs. OILU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IXC

IXC Risk / Return Rank: 82
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 85
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 56
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 45

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IXC vs. OILU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). 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.

	IXC	OILU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	1.50	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	1.96	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.24	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	2.07	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.78	5.11	+3.67

IXC vs. OILU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXC Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the OILU Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXC and OILU, 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

IXC vs. OILU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, smaller than the maximum OILU drawdown of -81.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and OILU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXC	OILU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.88%	-81.00%	+13.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.36%	-46.49%	+31.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-69.09%	+50.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.05%	-47.53%	+44.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.42%	-50.69%	+33.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.95%	18.88%	-13.93%

Volatility

IXC vs. OILU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 6.07%, while MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) has a volatility of 19.22%. This indicates that IXC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OILU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IXC	OILU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.07%	19.22%	-13.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.03%	51.99%	-35.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.61%	64.36%	-44.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.37%	80.80%	-57.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.82%	80.80%	-53.98%

IXC vs. OILU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than OILU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXC vs. OILU - Dividend Comparison

IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, while OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF	2.82%	3.68%	4.56%	3.45%	4.76%	3.98%	4.86%	7.00%	3.51%	3.05%	2.86%	3.77%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	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

Can I hold both IXC and OILU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, IXC and OILU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IXC or OILU?

OILU has higher volatility (19.22%) compared to IXC (6.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs OILU's -81.00%.

Which ETF is better, IXC or OILU?

On 3-year performance, IXC leads with 16.60% vs 1.15% for OILU. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXC or OILU?

Over the 3-year period, IXC has performed better with a 16.60% return vs 1.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXC or OILU?

IXC is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for OILU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IXC or OILU?

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between IXC and OILU?

IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while OILU is Leveraged Equities. IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while OILU tracks Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.95% for OILU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.50), 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.