USCI vs. USL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USCI (United States Commodity Index Fund) and USL (United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - USCI is a Commodities fund tracking the SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity (TR), while USL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USCI returned 8.86%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for USL. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USCI charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for USL.

Performance

USCI vs. USL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USCI achieves a 28.22% return, which is significantly lower than USL's 63.07% return. Over the past 10 years, USCI has underperformed USL with an annualized return of 8.86%, while USL has yielded a comparatively higher 10.91% annualized return.

USCI

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -1.22%
• YTD: 28.22%
• 6M: 26.35%
• 1Y: 40.33%
• 3Y*: 23.15%
• 5Y*: 19.28%
• 10Y*: 8.86%

USL

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 63.07%
• 6M: 59.66%
• 1Y: 57.86%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 17.41%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

USCI vs. USL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USCI United States Commodity Index Fund	28.22%	17.63%	17.24%	-0.00%	29.47%	33.07%	-11.47%	-1.68%	-11.76%	6.32%
USL United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP	63.07%	-12.37%	8.30%	-1.11%	27.10%	62.48%	-25.23%	28.01%	-14.15%	2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between USCI and USL is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2010	0.64

The correlation between USCI and USL shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.79 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

USCI vs. USL — Risk / Return Rank

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

USCI

USCI Risk / Return Rank: 74
USCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
USCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
USCI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
USCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
USCI Martin Ratio Rank: 81

USL

USL Risk / Return Rank: 56
USL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
USL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
USL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
USL Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
USL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

USCI vs. USL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) and United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL). 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.

	USCI	USL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.04	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	2.58	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.34	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.64	3.47	+1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.18	7.02	+9.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USCI vs. USL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USCI Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the USL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USCI and USL, 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

	USCI	USL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.04	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.05	0.58	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.34	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.01	+0.29

Drawdowns

USCI vs. USL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USCI drawdown since its inception was -66.41%, smaller than the maximum USL drawdown of -89.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USCI and USL.

Drawdown Indicators

	USCI	USL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.41%	-89.06%	+22.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.73%	-16.76%	+8.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.01%	-23.33%	+11.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.84%	-33.82%	+14.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.82%	-66.02%	+20.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.10%	-38.16%	+35.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.51%	-61.46%	+31.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	8.27%	-5.77%

Volatility

USCI vs. USL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) is 4.51%, while United States 12 Month Oil Fund LP (USL) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that USCI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USCI	USL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	10.53%	-6.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.93%	23.33%	-9.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.70%	28.54%	-11.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.44%	30.08%	-11.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.85%	32.35%	-16.50%

USCI vs. USL - Expense Ratio Comparison

USCI has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than USL's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

USCI vs. USL - Dividend Comparison

Neither USCI nor USL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USCI and USL in my portfolio?

USCI and USL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USCI or USL?

USL has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to USCI (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USCI dropped -66.41% vs USL's -89.06%.

Which ETF is better, USCI or USL?

On 10-year performance, USL leads with 10.91% vs 8.86% for USCI. On fees, USL is cheaper at 0.88% per year. On volatility, USCI has been the lower-risk option at 4.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USCI or USL?

Over the 10-year period, USL has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 8.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USCI or USL?

USL is cheaper with a 0.88% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for USCI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USCI or USL?

USCI and USL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between USCI and USL?

USCI is categorized as Commodities, while USL is Oil & Gas. USCI tracks SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity (TR), while USL tracks 12 Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Their fees differ too: 1.03% for USCI and 0.88% for USL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USCI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.04), 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.