DBC vs. VAW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) and VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBC is a Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return, while VAW is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBC returned 9.10%/yr vs 10.35%/yr for VAW. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DBC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VAW.

Performance

DBC vs. VAW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBC achieves a 35.47% return, which is significantly higher than VAW's 13.17% return. Over the past 10 years, DBC has underperformed VAW with an annualized return of 9.10%, while VAW has yielded a comparatively higher 10.35% annualized return.

DBC

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: -3.32%
• YTD: 35.47%
• 6M: 35.36%
• 1Y: 45.90%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: 9.10%

VAW

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.57%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 6M: 16.23%
• 1Y: 22.68%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 5.80%
• 10Y*: 10.35%

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

DBC vs. VAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund	35.47%	8.10%	2.18%	-6.19%	19.34%	41.36%	-7.84%	11.84%	-11.63%	4.86%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	13.17%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	23.76%

Correlation

The correlation between DBC and VAW 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	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2006	0.41

The correlation between DBC and VAW shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DBC vs. VAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBC	VAW
Financial Services	91.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	90.2%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	0.5%
Industrials	-	1.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DBC vs. VAW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBC

DBC Risk / Return Rank: 75
DBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
DBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DBC Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DBC Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 34
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

DBC vs. VAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). 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.

	DBC	VAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.29	+1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	1.86	+1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.22	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.54	1.70	+4.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.91	5.56	+8.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBC vs. VAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBC Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the VAW Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBC and VAW, 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

	DBC	VAW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	1.29	+1.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.30	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.49	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.39	-0.28

Drawdowns

DBC vs. VAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBC drawdown since its inception was -76.36%, which is greater than VAW's maximum drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBC and VAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBC	VAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.36%	-62.17%	-14.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-13.42%	+6.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.82%	-23.21%	+9.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.34%	-25.50%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.71%	-41.13%	-0.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.64%	-3.79%	-17.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.22%	-9.63%	-36.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	4.09%	-0.78%

Volatility

DBC vs. VAW - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) has a higher volatility of 6.45% compared to Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) at 6.08%. This indicates that DBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBC	VAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.45%	6.08%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.75%	13.93%	+1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.68%	17.65%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.18%	19.62%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.81%	21.20%	-3.39%

DBC vs. VAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VAW's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBC vs. VAW - Dividend Comparison

DBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.46%, more than VAW's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund	2.46%	3.33%	5.22%	4.94%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	1.59%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.36%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBC and VAW in my portfolio?

DBC and VAW 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, DBC or VAW?

DBC has higher volatility (6.45%) compared to VAW (6.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBC dropped -76.36% vs VAW's -62.17%.

Which ETF is better, DBC or VAW?

On 10-year performance, VAW leads with 10.35% vs 9.10% for DBC. On fees, VAW is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VAW has been the lower-risk option at 6.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBC or VAW?

Over the 10-year period, VAW has performed better with a 10.35% return vs 9.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBC or VAW?

VAW is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DBC or VAW?

DBC has the higher dividend yield at 2.46%, compared with 1.36% for VAW.

What is the main difference between DBC and VAW?

DBC is categorized as Commodities, while VAW is Materials. DBC tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return, while VAW tracks MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DBC and 0.10% for VAW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.29), 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.