SBAR vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SBAR (Simplify Barrier Income ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - SBAR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. SBAR is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past year, SBAR returned 12.00% vs 101.55% for USO. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. SBAR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

SBAR vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) 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, SBAR achieves a 2.69% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return.

SBAR

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 2.69%
• 6M: 4.14%
• 1Y: 12.00%
• 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)

SBAR vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SBAR Simplify Barrier Income ETF	2.69%	13.80%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	103.67%	4.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SBAR 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 Apr 16, 2025	-0.21

Return for Risk

SBAR vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBAR

SBAR Risk / Return Rank: 41
SBAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
SBAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SBAR Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SBAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SBAR Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

SBAR vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) 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.

	SBAR	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	2.31	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	2.89	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.38	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	5.01	-2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.43	9.42	-0.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SBAR vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is lower than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBAR 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

	SBAR	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.35	2.31	-0.96
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	1.52	-0.18	+1.69

Drawdowns

SBAR vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBAR drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBAR and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBAR	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.32%	-98.19%	+92.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.32%	-20.39%	+15.07%
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	-0.31%	-85.01%	+84.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.93%	-75.30%	+74.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.43%	10.82%	-9.39%

Volatility

SBAR vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) is 2.29%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that SBAR 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

	SBAR	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.29%	14.87%	-12.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.66%	38.23%	-32.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.97%	44.20%	-35.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.80%	36.06%	-26.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.80%	39.00%	-29.20%

SBAR vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBAR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

SBAR vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

SBAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.68%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
SBAR Simplify Barrier Income ETF	12.68%	8.56%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBAR and USO in my portfolio?

SBAR 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, SBAR or USO?

USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to SBAR (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBAR dropped -5.32% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, SBAR or USO?

On 1-year performance, USO leads with 101.55% vs 12.00% for SBAR. On fees, SBAR is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, SBAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBAR or USO?

Over the 1-year period, USO has performed better with a 101.55% return vs 12.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBAR or USO?

SBAR is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

SBAR has the higher dividend yield at 12.68%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between SBAR and USO?

SBAR is categorized as Derivative Income, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SBAR and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.35), 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.