IYT vs. USL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IYT (iShares Transportation Average ETF) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - IYT is a Transportation Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYT returned 10.51%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for USL. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

IYT vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IYT achieves a 13.12% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 60.58% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IYT having a 10.51% annualized return and USL not far ahead at 10.74%.

IYT

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 3.94%
• YTD: 13.12%
• 6M: 15.04%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 14.77%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

USL

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 60.58%
• 6M: 58.21%
• 1Y: 56.66%
• 3Y*: 17.81%
• 5Y*: 17.18%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

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

IYT vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYT iShares Transportation Average ETF	13.12%	11.48%	4.10%	24.62%	-21.74%	26.41%	14.20%	20.11%	-12.87%	18.89%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	60.58%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between IYT and USL is -0.29, 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	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2007	0.23

The correlation between IYT and USL shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYT vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYT	USL
Industrials	83.3%	-
Technology	16.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	4.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IYT vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYT

IYT Risk / Return Rank: 44
IYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
IYT Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IYT Martin Ratio Rank: 48

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 53
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

IYT vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). 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.

	IYT	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.00	-0.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	2.54	-0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.67	-1.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.00	7.44	+0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYT vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYT and USL, 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

	IYT	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.00	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.57	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.33	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.01	+0.41

Drawdowns

IYT vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYT drawdown since its inception was -60.39%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYT and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYT	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.39%	-89.06%	+28.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-16.76%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.35%	-23.33%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.15%	-33.82%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.28%	-66.02%	+24.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-39.10%	+38.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-61.46%	+52.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	8.26%	-4.53%

Volatility

IYT vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) is 7.34%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 11.15%. This indicates that IYT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IYT	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	11.15%	-3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	23.30%	-7.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.17%	28.65%	-8.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.29%	30.07%	-7.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.15%	32.35%	-9.20%

IYT vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYT has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYT vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

IYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IYT iShares Transportation Average ETF	0.95%	1.00%	1.08%	1.26%	1.40%	0.77%	0.93%	1.29%	1.35%	0.92%	0.96%	1.28%
USL United States 12 Month 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

Can I hold both IYT and USL in my portfolio?

IYT and USL have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYT or USL?

USL has higher volatility (11.15%) compared to IYT (7.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYT dropped -60.39% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, IYT or USL?

On 10-year performance, USL leads with 10.74% vs 10.51% for IYT. On fees, IYT is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IYT has been the lower-risk option at 7.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYT or USL?

Over the 10-year period, USL has performed better with a 10.74% return vs 10.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYT or USL?

IYT is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for USL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IYT or USL?

IYT has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between IYT and USL?

IYT is categorized as Transportation Equities, while USL is Oil & Gas. IYT tracks Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYT and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.51), 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.