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SPYM vs. USO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SPYM vs. USO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 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, SPYM returned 15.62%/yr vs 4.07%/yr for USO. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPYM charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

SPYM vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) 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, SPYM achieves a 10.98% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 103.67% return. Over the past 10 years, SPYM has outperformed USO with an annualized return of 15.62%, while USO has yielded a comparatively lower 4.07% annualized return.

SPYM

1D
-0.66%
1M
5.06%
YTD
10.98%
6M
10.98%
1Y
28.09%
3Y*
22.46%
5Y*
13.91%
10Y*
15.62%

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)

SPYM vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SPYM
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF		10.98%17.79%25.00%26.24%-18.09%28.78%18.49%31.99%-4.78%21.30%
USO
United States Oil Fund LP		103.67%-8.46%13.35%-4.94%28.97%64.68%-67.79%32.61%-19.57%2.47%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYM and USO is -0.33, 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

-0.33

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

-0.07

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

0.07

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

0.18

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2006

0.26

The correlation between SPYM and USO shifts across timeframes, from -0.33 (1 year) to 0.26 (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.

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF

United States Oil Fund LP

Often compared with SPYM:
SPYM vs. SPYSPYM vs. VOOSPYM vs. QQQMSPYM vs. SPMOSPYM vs. VTISPYM vs. SPYGSPYM vs. SCHG
Often compared with USO:
USO vs. XLEUSO vs. BNOUSO vs. UCOUSO vs. USLUSO vs. OILKUSO vs. DBOUSO vs. WTI

Return for Risk

SPYM vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SPYM
SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
USO
USO Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
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.

SPYM vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) 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.

SPYMUSODifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.39

2.31

+0.08

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

3.27

2.89

+0.37

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.44

1.38

+0.05

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

3.17

5.01

-1.84

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

14.76

9.42

+5.34

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

SPYM vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the USO Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYM 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

SPYMUSODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.39

2.31

+0.08

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.83

0.68

+0.15

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.87

0.10

+0.77

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.62

-0.18

+0.79

Drawdowns

SPYM vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYM drawdown since its inception was -54.46%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYM and USO.

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Drawdown Indicators

SPYMUSODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-54.46%

-98.19%

+43.73%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.90%

-20.39%

+11.49%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.72%

-26.05%

+7.33%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.48%

-36.23%

+11.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.87%

-86.75%

+52.88%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.66%

-85.01%

+84.35%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.15%

-75.30%

+68.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.91%

10.82%

-8.91%

Volatility

SPYM vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is 2.83%, while United States Oil Fund LP (USO) has a volatility of 14.87%. This indicates that SPYM 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

SPYMUSODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.83%

14.87%

-12.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.90%

38.23%

-29.33%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.80%

44.20%

-32.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.80%

36.06%

-19.26%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.00%

39.00%

-21.00%

SPYM vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYM has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYM vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

SPYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, while USO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SPYM
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF		1.00%1.13%1.28%1.44%1.69%1.25%1.54%1.79%2.23%1.75%1.97%1.98%
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

SPYM and USO have a correlation of -0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

USO has higher volatility (14.87%) compared to SPYM (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYM dropped -54.46% vs USO's -98.19%.

On 10-year performance, SPYM leads with 15.62% vs 4.07% for USO. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 15.62% return vs 4.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for USO.

SPYM has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for USO.

SPYM is categorized as S&P 500, while USO is Oil & Gas. SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index, while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: State Street and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.02% for SPYM and 0.86% for USO.

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.31), 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

Find the right allocation for SPYM and USO

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