KNOV vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KNOV (Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - KNOV is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. KNOV is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, KNOV returned 24.28% vs 101.55% for USO. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. KNOV charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

KNOV vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November (KNOV) 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, KNOV achieves a 8.98% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return.

KNOV

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 8.98%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 24.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

KNOV vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KNOV Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November	8.98%	11.91%	1.18%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	103.67%	-8.46%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between KNOV and USO is -0.27, 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	-0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2024	-0.09

The correlation between KNOV and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.27 (1 year) to -0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

KNOV vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNOV

KNOV Risk / Return Rank: 73
KNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
KNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
KNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 64
KNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
KNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

KNOV vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November (KNOV) 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.

	KNOV	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.31	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	2.89	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.38	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.55	5.01	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.82	9.42	+6.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KNOV vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNOV 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

	KNOV	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	2.31	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	-0.18	+1.29

Drawdowns

KNOV vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNOV drawdown since its inception was -15.03%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNOV and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNOV	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.03%	-98.19%	+83.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.36%	-20.39%	+15.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.05%	—
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	-0.54%	-85.01%	+84.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.61%	-75.30%	+72.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	10.82%	-9.28%

Volatility

KNOV vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - November (KNOV) is 2.23%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that KNOV 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

	KNOV	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.23%	14.87%	-12.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.90%	38.23%	-31.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.37%	44.20%	-32.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	36.06%	-23.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.86%	39.00%	-26.14%

KNOV vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNOV has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNOV vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

Neither KNOV nor USO has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNOV and USO in my portfolio?

KNOV and USO have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNOV or USO?

USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to KNOV (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNOV dropped -15.03% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, KNOV or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 101.55% vs 24.28% for KNOV. On fees, KNOV is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, KNOV has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNOV or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 101.55% return vs 24.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNOV or USO?

KNOV is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

KNOV and USO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between KNOV and USO?

KNOV is categorized as Defined Outcome, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for KNOV and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 2.15), 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.