DBA vs. XLG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DBA (Invesco DB Agriculture Fund) and XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBA is a Agricultural Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index TR, while XLG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBA returned 3.54%/yr vs 17.27%/yr for XLG. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DBA charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for XLG.

Performance

DBA vs. XLG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBA achieves a 5.25% return, which is significantly lower than XLG's 7.57% return. Over the past 10 years, DBA has underperformed XLG with an annualized return of 3.54%, while XLG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.27% annualized return.

DBA

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -5.05%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 4.23%
• 3Y*: 13.20%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: 3.54%

XLG

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 28.54%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 17.27%

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

DBA vs. XLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBA Invesco DB Agriculture Fund	5.25%	-0.56%	33.45%	7.64%	2.53%	22.37%	-2.54%	-0.71%	-8.74%	-6.06%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	7.57%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	-24.29%	30.77%	24.15%	32.04%	-3.59%	23.04%

Correlation

The correlation between DBA and XLG is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2007	0.18

The correlation between DBA and XLG shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (1 year) to 0.18 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DBA vs. XLG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBA	XLG
Healthcare	16.8%	7.0%
Industrials	15.2%	1.9%
Financial Services	13.7%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	11.3%
Basic Materials	10.7%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.8%	5.8%
Communication Services	7.4%	17.1%
Technology	6.3%	43.9%
Energy	5.3%	2.7%
Utilities	2.9%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	-

Return for Risk

DBA vs. XLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBA

DBA Risk / Return Rank: 14
DBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
DBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
DBA Omega Ratio Rank: 13
DBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
DBA Martin Ratio Rank: 14

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 56
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

DBA vs. XLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). 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.

	DBA	XLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	2.15	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	2.92	-2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.38	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.53	2.31	-1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.04	8.66	-7.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBA vs. XLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBA Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the XLG Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBA and XLG, 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

	DBA	XLG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39	2.15	-1.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.87	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.92	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.08	0.62	-0.54

Drawdowns

DBA vs. XLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBA drawdown since its inception was -67.97%, which is greater than XLG's maximum drawdown of -52.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBA and XLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBA	XLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.97%	-52.39%	-15.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.99%	-12.41%	+4.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.36%	-20.70%	+8.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.94%	-28.02%	+12.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.16%	-30.46%	-10.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.90%	-1.44%	-24.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.11%	-7.64%	-33.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	3.30%	+0.77%

Volatility

DBA vs. XLG - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA) has a higher volatility of 4.17% compared to Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) at 3.19%. This indicates that DBA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBA	XLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	3.19%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.46%	9.80%	-3.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.77%	13.33%	-2.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.10%	18.68%	-4.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.09%	18.84%	-5.75%

DBA vs. XLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBA has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than XLG's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBA vs. XLG - Dividend Comparison

DBA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than XLG's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBA Invesco DB Agriculture Fund	3.40%	3.58%	4.08%	4.63%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	1.55%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.60%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBA and XLG in my portfolio?

DBA and XLG have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBA or XLG?

DBA has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to XLG (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBA dropped -67.97% vs XLG's -52.39%.

Which ETF is better, DBA or XLG?

On 10-year performance, XLG leads with 17.27% vs 3.54% for DBA. On fees, XLG is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, XLG has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBA or XLG?

Over the 10-year period, XLG has performed better with a 17.27% return vs 3.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBA or XLG?

XLG is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for DBA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DBA or XLG?

DBA has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 0.60% for XLG.

What is the main difference between DBA and XLG?

DBA is categorized as Agricultural Commodities, while XLG is S&P 500. DBA tracks DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index TR, while XLG tracks S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.94% for DBA and 0.20% for XLG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.39), 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.