SLVR vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLVR (Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - SLVR is a Silver fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Silver Miners™ Index, while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SLVR returned 118.11% vs 101.55% for USO. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. SLVR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

SLVR vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) 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, SLVR achieves a 6.80% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return.

SLVR

• 1D: -5.47%
• 1M: 1.96%
• YTD: 6.80%
• 6M: 18.93%
• 1Y: 118.11%
• 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)

SLVR vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SLVR Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF	6.80%	170.44%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	103.67%	-18.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SLVR and USO is -0.14, 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	-0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2025	-0.06

Return for Risk

SLVR vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLVR

SLVR Risk / Return Rank: 51
SLVR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SLVR Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
SLVR Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SLVR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SLVR Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

SLVR vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) 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.

	SLVR	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	2.31	-0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.89	-0.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.38	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	5.01	-1.93
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.66	9.42	-1.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLVR vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLVR Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLVR 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

	SLVR	USO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	2.31	-0.38
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	2.02	-0.18	+2.19

Drawdowns

SLVR vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLVR drawdown since its inception was -38.60%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLVR and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLVR	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.60%	-98.19%	+59.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.60%	-20.39%	-18.21%
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	-28.51%	-85.01%	+56.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-75.30%	+66.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.47%	10.82%	+4.65%

Volatility

SLVR vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) has a higher volatility of 19.31% compared to United States Oil Fund LP (USO) at 14.87%. This indicates that SLVR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLVR	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.31%	14.87%	+4.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	51.02%	38.23%	+12.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.64%	44.20%	+17.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	57.85%	36.06%	+21.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	57.85%	39.00%	+18.85%

SLVR vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLVR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLVR vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

SLVR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.45%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
SLVR Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF	3.45%	3.68%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLVR and USO in my portfolio?

SLVR and USO have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLVR or USO?

SLVR has higher volatility (19.31%) compared to USO (14.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLVR dropped -38.60% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, SLVR or USO?

On 1-year performance, SLVR leads with 118.11% vs 101.55% for USO. On fees, SLVR is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, USO has been the lower-risk option at 14.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLVR or USO?

Over the 1-year period, SLVR has performed better with a 118.11% return vs 101.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLVR or USO?

SLVR is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

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

SLVR has the higher dividend yield at 3.45%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

What is the main difference between SLVR and USO?

SLVR is categorized as Silver, while USO is Oil & Gas. SLVR tracks Nasdaq Sprott Silver Miners™ Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SLVR and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.93), 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.