BFOR vs. DBE
BFOR (ALPS Barron's 400 ETF) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BFOR is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Barron's 400 Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BFOR returned 12.49%/yr vs 11.45%/yr for DBE. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BFOR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.
Performance
BFOR vs. DBE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BFOR achieves a 14.46% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 68.39% return. Over the past 10 years, BFOR has outperformed DBE with an annualized return of 12.49%, while DBE has yielded a comparatively lower 11.45% annualized return.
BFOR
- 1D
- 0.37%
- 1M
- 1.67%
- 6M
- 9.00%
- YTD
- 14.46%
- 1Y
- 22.45%
- 3Y*
- 17.95%
- 5Y*
- 11.33%
- 10Y*
- 12.49%
DBE
- 1D
- -1.09%
- 1M
- 6.25%
- 6M
- 65.69%
- YTD
- 68.39%
- 1Y
- 57.64%
- 3Y*
- 17.96%
- 5Y*
- 17.10%
- 10Y*
- 11.45%
BFOR vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF | 14.46% | 13.85% | 17.81% | 18.19% | -15.92% | 30.71% | 17.60% | 21.30% | -13.86% | 19.37% |
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 68.39% | -2.17% | 2.96% | -12.14% | 33.77% | 57.56% | -25.91% | 19.72% | -12.95% | 5.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between BFOR and DBE is -0.29, 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 | -0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013 | 0.25 |
The correlation between BFOR and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BFOR vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank
BFOR
DBE
BFOR vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE). 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.
| BFOR | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.28 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.51 | 2.34 | +0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.18 | 7.00 | +2.18 |
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Drawdowns
BFOR vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BFOR drawdown since its inception was -41.27%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFOR and DBE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BFOR | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.27% | -86.69% | +45.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -24.72% | +15.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.91% | -24.72% | +2.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.93% | -38.74% | +12.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.27% | -60.84% | +19.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.42% | -36.07% | +34.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.37% | -57.19% | +50.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.45% | 8.26% | -5.81% |
Volatility
BFOR vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) is 3.16%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 11.68%. This indicates that BFOR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BFOR | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.16% | 11.68% | -8.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.86% | 32.70% | -21.84% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.81% | 35.99% | -21.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.43% | 29.88% | -10.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.33% | 28.39% | -8.06% |
BFOR vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison
BFOR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
BFOR vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison
BFOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than DBE's 2.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF | 0.52% | 0.60% | 0.69% | 1.26% | 1.68% | 0.92% | 0.98% | 0.69% | 0.94% | 0.60% | 0.78% | 0.86% |
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 2.29% | 3.86% | 6.32% | 3.87% | 0.75% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.79% | 1.67% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BFOR and DBE have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBE has higher volatility (11.68%) compared to BFOR (3.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFOR dropped -41.27% vs DBE's -86.69%.
On 10-year performance, BFOR leads with 12.49% vs 11.45% for DBE. On fees, BFOR is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, BFOR has been the lower-risk option at 3.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, BFOR has performed better with a 12.49% return vs 11.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BFOR is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.
DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 0.52% for BFOR.
BFOR is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. BFOR tracks Barron's 400 Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BFOR and 0.78% for DBE.
DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.52), 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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