USML vs. UGA
USML (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - USML is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USML returned 7.17%/yr vs 22.69%/yr for UGA. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USML charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.
Performance
USML vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USML achieves a -0.53% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.
USML
- 1D
- 0.60%
- 1M
- -4.40%
- YTD
- -0.53%
- 6M
- -1.84%
- 1Y
- 1.32%
- 3Y*
- 14.47%
- 5Y*
- 7.17%
- 10Y*
- —
UGA
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- -12.11%
- YTD
- 64.09%
- 6M
- 60.42%
- 1Y
- 59.74%
- 3Y*
- 18.95%
- 5Y*
- 22.69%
- 10Y*
- 14.31%
USML vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USML ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN | -0.53% | 9.33% | 23.97% | 11.37% | -22.87% | 42.12% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 64.09% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 44.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between USML and UGA is -0.11, 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 | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2021 | 0.04 |
The correlation between USML and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.05 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
USML vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
USML
UGA
USML vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| USML | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.03 | 1.30 | -0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.10 | 3.17 | -3.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.29 | 9.39 | -9.10 |
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Drawdowns
USML vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USML drawdown since its inception was -35.34%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USML and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USML | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.34% | -86.59% | +51.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.09% | -18.96% | +5.87% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.14% | -26.68% | +7.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.34% | -38.11% | +2.77% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -75.89% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.96% | -18.05% | +11.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.36% | -36.69% | +26.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.50% | 6.43% | -1.93% |
Volatility
USML vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Minimum Volatility Factor TR ETN (USML) is 4.79%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that USML experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| USML | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.79% | 9.24% | -4.45% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.79% | 30.57% | -18.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.52% | 35.22% | -18.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.47% | 34.45% | -9.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.22% | 37.22% | -13.00% |
USML vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
USML has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
USML vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
Neither USML nor UGA has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
USML and UGA have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to USML (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USML dropped -35.34% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 5-year performance, UGA leads with 22.69% vs 7.17% for USML. On fees, UGA is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, USML has been the lower-risk option at 4.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UGA has performed better with a 22.69% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UGA is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for USML.
USML and UGA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
USML is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while UGA is Oil & Gas. USML tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for USML and 0.75% for UGA.
UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.08), 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.
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