WTID vs. USO

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

WTID (MicroSectors Energy -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN) and USO (United States Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - WTID is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors Energy Index - Benchmark TR Gross (--300%), while USO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, WTID returned -45.26%/yr vs 19.41%/yr for USO. At a correlation of -0.64, they often move in opposite directions. WTID charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for USO.

Performance

WTID vs. USO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Energy -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (WTID) 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, WTID achieves a -51.19% return, which is significantly lower than USO's 53.69% return.

WTID

• 1D: 5.01%
• 1M: 26.91%
• YTD: -51.19%
• 6M: -52.60%
• 1Y: -61.21%
• 3Y*: -45.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USO

• 1D: -4.47%
• 1M: -24.57%
• YTD: 53.69%
• 6M: 51.41%
• 1Y: 45.60%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: 16.16%
• 10Y*: 1.54%

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

WTID vs. USO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WTID MicroSectors Energy -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN	-51.19%	-44.50%	-7.93%	-16.93%
USO United States Oil Fund LP	53.69%	-8.46%	13.35%	-3.96%

Correlation

The correlation between WTID and USO is -0.66, 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	-0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2023	-0.64

The correlation between WTID and USO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.66 to -0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WTID vs. USO — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTID

WTID Risk / Return Rank: 2
WTID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
WTID Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
WTID Omega Ratio Rank: 2
WTID Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
WTID Martin Ratio Rank: 2

USO

USO Risk / Return Rank: 33
USO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
USO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
USO Omega Ratio Rank: 33
USO Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
USO Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

WTID vs. USO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Energy -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (WTID) 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.

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.

	WTID	USO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.91	1.05	-1.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.51	1.68	-3.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.21	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.82	1.50	-2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	4.49	-5.88

WTID vs. USO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTID Sharpe Ratio is -0.91, which is lower than the USO Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTID 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.

Drawdowns

WTID vs. USO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTID drawdown since its inception was -90.35%, smaller than the maximum USO drawdown of -98.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTID and USO.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTID	USO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.35%	-98.19%	+7.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-74.87%	-30.51%	-44.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-88.44%	-30.51%	-57.93%
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	-85.62%	-88.69%	+3.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-54.92%	-75.32%	+20.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	44.18%	10.18%	+34.00%

Volatility

WTID vs. USO - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Energy -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (WTID) has a higher volatility of 22.23% compared to United States Oil Fund LP (USO) at 12.26%. This indicates that WTID'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

	WTID	USO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.23%	12.26%	+9.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	54.62%	39.65%	+14.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	67.44%	43.82%	+23.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	70.50%	36.38%	+34.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	70.50%	39.04%	+31.46%

WTID vs. USO - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTID has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than USO's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

WTID vs. USO - Dividend Comparison

Neither WTID nor USO has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTID and USO in my portfolio?

WTID and USO have a correlation of -0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WTID or USO?

WTID has higher volatility (22.23%) compared to USO (12.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTID dropped -90.35% vs USO's -98.19%.

Which ETF is better, WTID or USO?

On 3-year performance, USO leads with 19.41% vs -45.26% for WTID. On fees, USO is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, USO has been the lower-risk option at 12.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WTID or USO?

Over the 3-year period, USO has performed better with a 19.41% return vs -45.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTID or USO?

USO is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for WTID.

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

WTID and USO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between WTID and USO?

WTID is categorized as Inverse Equities, while USO is Oil & Gas. WTID tracks Solactive MicroSectors Energy Index - Benchmark TR Gross (--300%), while USO tracks Front Month Light Sweet Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: REX and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for WTID and 0.86% for USO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs -0.91), 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.