DBB vs. DBA

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

DBB (Invesco DB Base Metals Fund) and DBA (Invesco DB Agriculture Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DBB is a Metals fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Industrial Metals Index Excess Return, while DBA is a Agricultural Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index TR. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBB returned 9.08%/yr vs 2.98%/yr for DBA. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DBB charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.94%/yr for DBA.

Performance

DBB vs. DBA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DB Base Metals Fund (DBB) and Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBB achieves a 10.81% return, which is significantly higher than DBA's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, DBB has outperformed DBA with an annualized return of 9.08%, while DBA has yielded a comparatively lower 2.98% annualized return.

DBB

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 10.81%
• 6M: 18.37%
• 1Y: 40.01%
• 3Y*: 17.45%
• 5Y*: 7.62%
• 10Y*: 9.08%

DBA

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -6.04%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 3.14%
• 1Y: -0.59%
• 3Y*: 11.83%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 2.98%

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

DBB vs. DBA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBB Invesco DB Base Metals Fund	10.81%	25.01%	7.90%	1.15%	-11.80%	28.97%	15.53%	-1.17%	-19.47%	30.09%
DBA Invesco DB Agriculture Fund	2.98%	-0.56%	33.45%	7.64%	2.53%	22.37%	-2.54%	-0.71%	-8.74%	-6.06%

Correlation

The correlation between DBB and DBA is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2007	0.30

The correlation between DBB and DBA shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DBB vs. DBA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBB	DBA
Financial Services	98.8%	13.7%
Basic Materials	-	10.7%
Communication Services	-	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.8%
Energy	-	5.3%
Healthcare	-	16.8%
Industrials	-	15.2%
Real Estate	-	1.1%
Technology	-	6.3%
Utilities	-	2.9%

Return for Risk

DBB vs. DBA — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBB

DBB Risk / Return Rank: 77
DBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
DBB Omega Ratio Rank: 73
DBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DBB Martin Ratio Rank: 80

DBA

DBA Risk / Return Rank: 8
DBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
DBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
DBA Omega Ratio Rank: 8
DBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
DBA Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

DBB vs. DBA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Base Metals Fund (DBB) and Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA). 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.

	DBB	DBA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	-0.06	+2.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	-0.00	+2.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.00	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	-0.07	+3.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.81	-0.15	+13.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBB vs. DBA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBB Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the DBA Sharpe Ratio of -0.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBB and DBA, 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

	DBB	DBA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	-0.06	+2.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.66	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.23	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.07	0.00

Drawdowns

DBB vs. DBA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBB drawdown since its inception was -60.20%, smaller than the maximum DBA drawdown of -67.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBB and DBA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBB	DBA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.20%	-67.97%	+7.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.00%	-8.53%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.59%	-12.36%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.00%	-15.94%	-19.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.98%	-40.72%	+2.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.54%	-27.50%	+22.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.87%	-41.09%	+10.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	4.13%	-1.23%

Volatility

DBB vs. DBA - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DB Base Metals Fund (DBB) has a higher volatility of 6.10% compared to Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA) at 3.99%. This indicates that DBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBB	DBA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.10%	3.99%	+2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.90%	6.58%	+9.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.21%	10.71%	+7.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.27%	14.09%	+6.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.48%	13.07%	+5.41%

DBB vs. DBA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBB has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than DBA's 0.94% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBB vs. DBA - Dividend Comparison

DBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, less than DBA's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DBA Invesco DB Agriculture Fund	3.47%	3.58%	4.08%	4.63%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	1.55%	1.06%
DBB Invesco DB Base Metals Fund	2.36%	2.61%	4.75%	7.21%	0.94%	0.00%	0.00%	1.83%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBB and DBA in my portfolio?

DBB and DBA have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBB or DBA?

DBB has higher volatility (6.10%) compared to DBA (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBB dropped -60.20% vs DBA's -67.97%.

Which ETF is better, DBB or DBA?

On 10-year performance, DBB leads with 9.08% vs 2.98% for DBA. On fees, DBB is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, DBA has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBB or DBA?

Over the 10-year period, DBB has performed better with a 9.08% return vs 2.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBB or DBA?

DBB is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for DBA.

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

DBA has the higher dividend yield at 3.47%, compared with 2.36% for DBB.

What is the main difference between DBB and DBA?

DBB is categorized as Metals, while DBA is Agricultural Commodities. DBB tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Industrial Metals Index Excess Return, while DBA tracks DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index TR. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for DBB and 0.94% for DBA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs -0.06), 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.