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SCZ vs. USO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SCZ vs. USO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - SCZ is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Small Cap 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, SCZ returned 8.11%/yr vs 3.57%/yr for USO. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCZ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

SCZ vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) and United States Oil Fund LP (USO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCZ achieves a 10.52% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 97.72% return. Over the past 10 years, SCZ has outperformed USO with an annualized return of 8.11%, while USO has yielded a comparatively lower 3.57% annualized return.

SCZ

1D
0.88%
1M
2.41%
YTD
10.52%
6M
13.03%
1Y
24.38%
3Y*
16.72%
5Y*
5.21%
10Y*
8.11%

USO

1D
-2.92%
1M
-5.15%
YTD
97.72%
6M
91.54%
1Y
97.20%
3Y*
28.78%
5Y*
23.67%
10Y*
3.57%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SCZ vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SCZ
iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF		10.52%32.08%1.52%12.98%-21.27%10.12%11.71%24.68%-17.64%32.72%
USO
United States Oil Fund LP		97.72%-8.46%13.35%-4.94%28.97%64.68%-67.79%32.61%-19.57%2.47%

Correlation

The correlation between SCZ and USO is -0.36, 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

-0.36

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.07

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.09

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.19

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2007

0.30

The correlation between SCZ and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.36 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF

United States Oil Fund LP

Often compared with SCZ:
SCZ vs. VSSSCZ vs. AVDVSCZ vs. IWMSCZ vs. IEFASCZ vs. VPLSCZ vs. IDEVSCZ vs. ISCF
Often compared with USO:
USO vs. XLEUSO vs. BNOUSO vs. UCOUSO vs. USLUSO vs. OILKUSO vs. DBOUSO vs. WTI

Return for Risk

SCZ vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SCZ
SCZ Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
SCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
SCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
SCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
SCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 5050
Martin Ratio Rank
USO
USO Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8686
Calmar Ratio Rank
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SCZ vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) 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.

SCZUSODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.69
2.21

-0.51

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.42
2.80

-0.37

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.37

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.14

4.79

-2.65

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.19

9.00

-0.81

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCZ vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCZ 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SCZUSODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.69

2.21

-0.51

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.31

0.66

-0.35

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.47

0.09

+0.38

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.27

-0.18

+0.45

Drawdowns

SCZ vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCZ drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCZ and USO.

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Drawdown Indicators

SCZUSODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.86%

-98.19%

+36.33%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.43%

-20.39%

+8.96%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.06%

-26.05%

+10.99%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.87%

-36.23%

-0.64%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.07%

-86.75%

+45.68%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.92%

-85.45%

+84.53%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.06%

-75.30%

+62.24%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.98%

10.84%

-7.86%

Volatility

SCZ vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) is 4.50%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.97%. This indicates that SCZ 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.

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Volatility by Period

SCZUSODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.50%

14.97%

-10.47%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.98%

38.35%

-26.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.46%

44.32%

-29.86%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.74%

36.09%

-19.35%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.43%

39.00%

-21.57%

SCZ vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCZ has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCZ vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

SCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SCZ
iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF		2.98%3.30%3.50%2.96%1.99%2.96%1.52%3.52%2.79%2.38%2.82%2.06%
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

SCZ and USO have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

USO has higher volatility (14.97%) compared to SCZ (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCZ dropped -61.86% vs USO's -98.19%.

On 10-year performance, SCZ leads with 8.11% vs 3.57% for USO. On fees, SCZ is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, SCZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SCZ has performed better with a 8.11% return vs 3.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SCZ is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

SCZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

SCZ is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. SCZ tracks MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: iShares and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SCZ and 0.86% for USO.

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.69), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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