DBC vs. ISTB
DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBC is a Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return, while ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBC returned 9.05%/yr vs 2.22%/yr for ISTB. Their -0.02 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. DBC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.
Performance
DBC vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DBC achieves a 29.16% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.75% return. Over the past 10 years, DBC has outperformed ISTB with an annualized return of 9.05%, while ISTB has yielded a comparatively lower 2.22% annualized return.
DBC
- 1D
- -1.94%
- 1M
- 8.69%
- 6M
- 22.68%
- YTD
- 29.16%
- 1Y
- 35.14%
- 3Y*
- 10.50%
- 5Y*
- 11.93%
- 10Y*
- 9.05%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.95%
ISTB
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- -0.07%
- 6M
- 0.52%
- YTD
- 0.75%
- 1Y
- 2.86%
- 3Y*
- 4.94%
- 5Y*
- 1.87%
- 10Y*
- 2.22%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.01%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29.57M | $30.05M | $33.92M | |
| $21.44M | $20.13M | $25.36M |
DBC vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 29.16% | 8.10% | 2.18% | -6.19% | 19.34% | 41.36% | -7.84% | 11.84% | -11.63% | 4.86% |
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.75% | 6.36% | 4.37% | 5.56% | -6.08% | -0.71% | 4.75% | 5.61% | 1.02% | 1.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between DBC and ISTB is -0.37, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.06 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012 | -0.02 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between DBC and ISTB has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.02 to -0.37, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
DBC vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank
DBC
ISTB
DBC vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.
| DBC | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.30 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.13 | 2.28 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.07 | 8.19 | -1.13 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
DBC vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DBC drawdown since its inception was -76.36%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBC and ISTB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| DBC | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.36% | -9.34% | -67.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.54% | -1.26% | -15.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.54% | -1.36% | -15.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.34% | -9.33% | -18.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.71% | -9.34% | -32.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -25.28% | -0.16% | -25.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -46.07% | -1.21% | -44.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.99% | 0.35% | +4.64% |
Volatility
DBC vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) has a higher volatility of 7.43% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.47%. This indicates that DBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| DBC | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.43% | 0.47% | +6.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.09% | 1.42% | +15.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.63% | 1.73% | +17.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.33% | 2.81% | +16.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.88% | 2.51% | +15.37% |
DBC vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
DBC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
DBC vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison
DBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than ISTB's 4.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 2.58% | 3.33% | 5.22% | 4.94% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.59% | 1.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.28% | 4.12% | 3.83% | 2.97% | 2.01% | 1.69% | 2.20% | 2.75% | 2.57% | 2.06% | 1.90% | 1.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DBC and ISTB have a correlation of -0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBC has higher volatility (7.43%) compared to ISTB (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBC dropped -76.36% vs ISTB's -9.34%.
On 10-year performance, DBC leads with 9.05% vs 2.22% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, DBC has performed better with a 9.05% return vs 2.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.
ISTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 2.58% for DBC.
DBC is categorized as Commodities, while ISTB is Short-Term Bond. DBC tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return, while ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DBC and 0.06% for ISTB.
DBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.66), 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.
Find the right allocation for DBC and ISTB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer