QVAL vs. USL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - QVAL is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. QVAL is actively managed, while USL is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QVAL returned 11.64%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for USL. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QVAL charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

QVAL vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) 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, QVAL achieves a 14.68% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 63.07% return. Over the past 10 years, QVAL has outperformed USL with an annualized return of 11.64%, while USL has yielded a comparatively lower 10.91% annualized return.

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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)

QVAL vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-17.28%	25.59%
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 QVAL and USL is -0.21, 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	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.28

The correlation between QVAL and USL shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QVAL vs. USL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QVAL	USL
Consumer Cyclical	32.4%	-
Technology	16.7%	-
Industrials	15.0%	-
Healthcare	11.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	-
Basic Materials	7.6%	-
Energy	5.5%	-
Communication Services	3.8%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Financial Services	-	4.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QVAL vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

QVAL vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) 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.

	QVAL	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.04	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	2.58	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.34	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.93	3.47	+1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.98	7.02	+6.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QVAL vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QVAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QVAL 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

	QVAL	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	2.04	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.58	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.34	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.01	+0.48

Drawdowns

QVAL vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QVAL drawdown since its inception was -51.49%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QVAL and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QVAL	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.49%	-89.06%	+37.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.04%	-16.76%	+10.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-23.33%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.17%	-33.82%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.49%	-66.02%	+14.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-38.16%	+37.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.80%	-61.46%	+53.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	8.27%	-6.14%

Volatility

QVAL vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) is 4.16%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that QVAL 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

	QVAL	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	10.53%	-6.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.06%	23.33%	-13.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.44%	28.54%	-14.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.63%	30.08%	-8.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.79%	32.35%	-9.56%

QVAL vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QVAL has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

QVAL vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, while USL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QVAL and USL in my portfolio?

QVAL and USL have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QVAL or USL?

USL has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to QVAL (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QVAL dropped -51.49% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, QVAL or USL?

On 10-year performance, QVAL leads with 11.64% vs 10.91% for USL. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, QVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QVAL or USL?

Over the 10-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 11.64% return vs 10.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QVAL or USL?

QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for USL.

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

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.00% for USL.

What is the main difference between QVAL and USL?

QVAL is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while USL is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QVAL and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 2.04), 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.