NFRA vs. USL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NFRA (FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - NFRA is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure 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, NFRA returned 7.17%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for USL. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFRA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

NFRA vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) 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, NFRA achieves a 8.93% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 63.07% return. Over the past 10 years, NFRA has underperformed USL with an annualized return of 7.17%, while USL has yielded a comparatively higher 10.91% annualized return.

NFRA

• 1D: -1.08%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 8.93%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 13.59%
• 3Y*: 12.91%
• 5Y*: 5.56%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

USL

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 63.07%
• 6M: 59.66%
• 1Y: 57.86%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 17.41%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

NFRA vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	8.93%	18.42%	4.76%	8.96%	-10.11%	9.61%	2.24%	26.27%	-7.74%	15.92%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	63.07%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between NFRA and USL is -0.23, 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	-0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2013	0.23

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

NFRA vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NFRA	USL
Industrials	25.9%	-
Utilities	25.0%	-
Communication Services	21.8%	-
Energy	11.6%	-
Real Estate	4.7%	-
Healthcare	3.6%	-
Technology	1.8%	-
Financial Services	0.7%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	0.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-

Return for Risk

NFRA vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFRA

NFRA Risk / Return Rank: 37
NFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
NFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
NFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
NFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
NFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 38

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

NFRA vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) 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.

	NFRA	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.04	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	2.58	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.34	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	3.47	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.01	7.02	-1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFRA vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFRA 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

	NFRA	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.04	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.58	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.34	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.01	+0.47

Drawdowns

NFRA vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFRA drawdown since its inception was -32.49%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFRA and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFRA	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.49%	-89.06%	+56.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-16.76%	+9.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.15%	-23.33%	+12.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.75%	-33.82%	+11.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.49%	-66.02%	+33.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.15%	-38.16%	+36.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.53%	-61.46%	+56.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	8.27%	-6.00%

Volatility

NFRA vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) is 3.35%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that NFRA 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

	NFRA	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	10.53%	-7.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.30%	23.33%	-15.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.37%	28.54%	-18.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.98%	30.08%	-17.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.97%	32.35%	-17.38%

NFRA vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFRA vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

NFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	5.54%	6.00%	3.33%	2.57%	2.28%	2.71%	2.22%	2.27%	3.06%	2.81%	2.98%	2.47%
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 NFRA and USL in my portfolio?

NFRA and USL have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFRA or USL?

USL has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to NFRA (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFRA dropped -32.49% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, NFRA or USL?

On 10-year performance, USL leads with 10.91% vs 7.17% for NFRA. On fees, NFRA is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, NFRA has been the lower-risk option at 3.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NFRA or USL?

Over the 10-year period, USL has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFRA or USL?

NFRA is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for USL.

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

NFRA has the higher dividend yield at 5.54%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between NFRA and USL?

NFRA is categorized as Utilities Equities, while USL is Oil & Gas. NFRA tracks STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index, while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for NFRA and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.32), 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.