REMX vs. USO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

REMX (VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - REMX is a Materials fund tracking the MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REMX returned 10.56%/yr vs 3.80%/yr for USO. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REMX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

REMX vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) 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, REMX achieves a 38.23% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 98.48% return. Over the past 10 years, REMX has outperformed USO with an annualized return of 10.56%, while USO has yielded a comparatively lower 3.80% annualized return.

REMX

• 1D: 2.75%
• 1M: -4.07%
• YTD: 38.23%
• 6M: 42.20%
• 1Y: 188.69%
• 3Y*: 8.22%
• 5Y*: 5.89%
• 10Y*: 10.56%

USO

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: -3.87%
• YTD: 98.48%
• 6M: 95.54%
• 1Y: 97.37%
• 3Y*: 28.86%
• 5Y*: 23.92%
• 10Y*: 3.80%

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

REMX vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REMX VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	38.23%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	98.48%	-8.46%	13.35%	-4.94%	28.97%	64.68%	-67.79%	32.61%	-19.57%	2.47%

Correlation

The correlation between REMX and USO is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2010	0.28

The correlation between REMX and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

REMX vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 90
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 66
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

REMX vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) 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.

	REMX	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.96	2.22	+1.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	2.81	+1.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.37	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.93	5.12	+2.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.90	9.66	+13.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REMX vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.96, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMX 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

	REMX	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96	2.22	+1.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.67	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.10	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	-0.18	+0.11

Drawdowns

REMX vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMX drawdown since its inception was -90.20%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMX and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMX	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.20%	-98.19%	+7.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.35%	-20.39%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.11%	-26.05%	-36.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.34%	-36.23%	-37.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.34%	-86.75%	+13.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-53.21%	-85.39%	+32.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.87%	-75.30%	+8.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.09%	10.81%	-2.72%

Volatility

REMX vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) is 13.13%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 15.03%. This indicates that REMX 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

	REMX	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.13%	15.03%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.60%	38.18%	-3.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.95%	44.26%	+3.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.21%	36.04%	+4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.92%	39.00%	-2.08%

REMX vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMX vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

REMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
REMX VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	1.27%	1.76%	2.56%	0.00%	1.56%	5.25%	0.81%	1.64%	12.43%	2.89%	2.23%	4.77%
USO United States 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 REMX and USO in my portfolio?

REMX and USO have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REMX or USO?

USO has higher volatility (15.03%) compared to REMX (13.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMX dropped -90.20% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, REMX or USO?

On 10-year performance, REMX leads with 10.56% vs 3.80% for USO. On fees, REMX is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, REMX has been the lower-risk option at 13.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMX or USO?

Over the 10-year period, REMX has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 3.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMX or USO?

REMX is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between REMX and USO?

REMX is categorized as Materials, while USO is Oil & Gas. REMX tracks MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for REMX and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.22), 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.