DBC vs. VNLA
DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) and VNLA (Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBC is a Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return, while VNLA is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the FTSE 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DBC returned 11.29%/yr vs 3.83%/yr for VNLA. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. DBC charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for VNLA.
Performance
DBC vs. VNLA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DBC achieves a 27.68% return, which is significantly higher than VNLA's 1.59% return.
DBC
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- -8.35%
- YTD
- 27.68%
- 6M
- 28.76%
- 1Y
- 30.29%
- 3Y*
- 12.92%
- 5Y*
- 11.29%
- 10Y*
- 8.27%
VNLA
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 1.59%
- 6M
- 1.85%
- 1Y
- 4.77%
- 3Y*
- 5.79%
- 5Y*
- 3.83%
- 10Y*
- —
DBC vs. VNLA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 27.68% | 8.10% | 2.18% | -6.19% | 19.34% | 41.36% | -7.84% | 11.84% | -11.63% | 4.86% |
VNLA Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF | 1.59% | 5.45% | 6.41% | 6.09% | -0.17% | -0.18% | 3.01% | 4.43% | 0.02% | 2.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between DBC and VNLA is -0.28, 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 | -0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2016 | -0.02 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between DBC and VNLA has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.02 to -0.28, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
DBC vs. VNLA — Risk / Return Rank
DBC
VNLA
DBC vs. VNLA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) and Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA). 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 | VNLA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -5.72 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -13.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 3.56 | -2.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.48 | 11.10 | -7.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.64 | 57.09 | -47.44 |
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Drawdowns
DBC vs. VNLA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DBC drawdown since its inception was -76.36%, which is greater than VNLA's maximum drawdown of -4.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBC and VNLA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DBC | VNLA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.36% | -4.49% | -71.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.91% | -0.43% | -9.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.82% | -0.49% | -13.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.34% | -1.76% | -25.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.71% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.14% | 0.00% | -26.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -46.19% | -0.23% | -45.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.57% | 0.08% | +3.49% |
Volatility
DBC vs. VNLA - Volatility Comparison
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) has a higher volatility of 5.20% compared to Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA) at 0.15%. This indicates that DBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNLA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DBC | VNLA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.20% | 0.15% | +5.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.11% | 0.46% | +15.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.94% | 0.63% | +18.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.22% | 1.04% | +18.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.82% | 1.42% | +16.40% |
DBC vs. VNLA - Expense Ratio Comparison
DBC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VNLA's 0.23% expense ratio.
Dividends
DBC vs. VNLA - Dividend Comparison
DBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than VNLA's 4.77% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 2.61% | 3.33% | 5.22% | 4.94% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.59% | 1.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VNLA Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF | 4.77% | 4.84% | 4.97% | 3.95% | 4.35% | 1.67% | 1.21% | 3.13% | 2.43% | 1.79% | 0.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DBC and VNLA have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBC has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to VNLA (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBC dropped -76.36% vs VNLA's -4.49%.
On 5-year performance, DBC leads with 11.29% vs 3.83% for VNLA. On fees, VNLA is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, VNLA has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DBC has performed better with a 11.29% return vs 3.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VNLA is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.
VNLA has the higher dividend yield at 4.77%, compared with 2.61% for DBC.
DBC is categorized as Commodities, while VNLA is Ultrashort Bond. DBC tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return, while VNLA tracks FTSE 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Janus Henderson. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DBC and 0.23% for VNLA.
VNLA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.54 vs 1.82), 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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