SEMI vs. USO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SEMI (Columbia Select Technology ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - SEMI is a Semiconductors fund actively managed by Columbia, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. SEMI is actively managed, while USO is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEMI returned 30.48%/yr vs 28.86%/yr for USO. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEMI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

SEMI vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) 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, SEMI achieves a 32.72% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 98.48% return.

SEMI

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: 16.66%
• YTD: 32.72%
• 6M: 31.75%
• 1Y: 67.04%
• 3Y*: 30.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

SEMI vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	32.72%	24.91%	15.87%	45.37%	-21.87%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	98.48%	-8.46%	13.35%	-4.94%	-10.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMI and USO is -0.29, 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	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2022	0.05

The correlation between SEMI and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SEMI vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMI

SEMI Risk / Return Rank: 84
SEMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SEMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SEMI Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SEMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SEMI Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

SEMI vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) 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.

	SEMI	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	2.22	+0.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	2.81	+0.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.37	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.77	5.12	-0.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.95	9.66	+8.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEMI vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEMI Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is higher than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEMI 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

	SEMI	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	2.22	+0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.67	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	-0.18	+0.83

Drawdowns

SEMI vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMI drawdown since its inception was -32.93%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMI and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMI	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.93%	-98.19%	+65.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.41%	-20.39%	+5.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.93%	-26.05%	-6.88%
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	0.00%	-85.39%	+85.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.29%	-75.30%	+66.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	10.81%	-6.98%

Volatility

SEMI vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) is 6.81%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 15.03%. This indicates that SEMI 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

	SEMI	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.81%	15.03%	-8.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.41%	38.18%	-20.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.14%	44.26%	-22.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.59%	36.04%	-4.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.59%	39.00%	-7.41%

SEMI vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SEMI vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

SEMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	3.38%	4.48%	0.96%	0.87%	0.67%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEMI and USO in my portfolio?

SEMI and USO have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEMI or USO?

USO has higher volatility (15.03%) compared to SEMI (6.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEMI dropped -32.93% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, SEMI or USO?

On 3-year performance, SEMI leads with 30.48% vs 28.86% for USO. On fees, SEMI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, SEMI has been the lower-risk option at 6.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEMI or USO?

Over the 3-year period, SEMI has performed better with a 30.48% return vs 28.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEMI or USO?

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

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

SEMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between SEMI and USO?

SEMI is categorized as Semiconductors, while USO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SEMI and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 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.