KNOW vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KNOW (Fundamentals First ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - KNOW is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Mason Capital Partners, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. KNOW is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, KNOW returned 18.95% vs 101.55% for USO. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. KNOW charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

KNOW vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) 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, KNOW achieves a 12.09% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return.

KNOW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 12.69%
• 1Y: 18.95%
• 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)

KNOW vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KNOW Fundamentals First ETF	12.09%	8.19%	7.62%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	103.67%	-8.46%	2.65%

Correlation

The correlation between KNOW and USO is -0.24, 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	-0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2024	-0.02

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between KNOW and USO has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.02 to -0.24, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

KNOW vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNOW

KNOW Risk / Return Rank: 59
KNOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
KNOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
KNOW Omega Ratio Rank: 58
KNOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
KNOW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

KNOW vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) 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.

	KNOW	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.31	-0.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.89	-0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.38	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	5.01	-2.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	9.42	+1.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KNOW vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNOW 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

	KNOW	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.31	-0.33
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	1.01	-0.18	+1.19

Drawdowns

KNOW vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNOW drawdown since its inception was -15.99%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNOW and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNOW	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.99%	-98.19%	+82.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-20.39%	+13.82%
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	-0.04%	-85.01%	+84.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-75.30%	+73.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	10.82%	-9.03%

Volatility

KNOW vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) is 1.96%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that KNOW 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

	KNOW	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.96%	14.87%	-12.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.07%	38.23%	-31.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.63%	44.20%	-34.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.36%	36.06%	-23.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.36%	39.00%	-26.64%

KNOW vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNOW has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNOW vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

KNOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
KNOW Fundamentals First ETF	1.36%	1.53%	1.35%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNOW and USO in my portfolio?

KNOW and USO have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNOW or USO?

USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to KNOW (1.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNOW dropped -15.99% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, KNOW or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 101.55% vs 18.95% for KNOW. On fees, USO is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, KNOW has been the lower-risk option at 1.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNOW or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 101.55% return vs 18.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNOW or USO?

USO is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for KNOW.

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

KNOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between KNOW and USO?

KNOW is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Mason Capital Partners and USCF. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for KNOW and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.98), 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.