DBE vs. DFEN
DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) and DFEN (Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index, while DFEN is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DBE returned 19.66%/yr vs 26.54%/yr for DFEN. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DBE charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for DFEN.
Performance
DBE vs. DFEN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DBE achieves a 83.68% return, which is significantly higher than DFEN's 2.17% return.
DBE
- 1D
- 2.33%
- 1M
- -5.45%
- YTD
- 83.68%
- 6M
- 74.95%
- 1Y
- 84.41%
- 3Y*
- 23.42%
- 5Y*
- 19.66%
- 10Y*
- 12.03%
DFEN
- 1D
- -4.54%
- 1M
- 12.97%
- YTD
- 2.17%
- 6M
- 21.41%
- 1Y
- 59.57%
- 3Y*
- 63.19%
- 5Y*
- 26.54%
- 10Y*
- —
DBE vs. DFEN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 83.68% | -2.17% | 2.96% | -12.14% | 33.77% | 57.56% | -25.91% | 19.72% | -12.95% | 21.69% |
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 2.17% | 156.62% | 27.07% | 24.70% | 6.99% | 12.72% | -70.23% | 95.09% | -32.86% | 83.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between DBE and DFEN is -0.13, 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 | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2017 | 0.19 |
The correlation between DBE and DFEN shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DBE vs. DFEN — Risk / Return Rank
DBE
DFEN
DBE vs. DFEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) and Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN). 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.
| DBE | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.43 | 0.95 | +1.48 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.96 | 1.59 | +1.37 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.19 | +0.21 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.89 | 1.43 | +4.46 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.53 | 3.44 | +8.09 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DBE | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.43 | 0.95 | +1.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.67 | 0.44 | +0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.43 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.09 | 0.21 | -0.12 |
Drawdowns
DBE vs. DFEN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DBE drawdown since its inception was -86.69%, smaller than the maximum DFEN drawdown of -91.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBE and DFEN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DBE | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -86.69% | -91.36% | +4.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.41% | -41.75% | +27.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.89% | -43.13% | +19.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.74% | -56.23% | +17.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -60.84% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.27% | -33.04% | +2.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -57.31% | -45.27% | -12.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.35% | 17.36% | -10.01% |
Volatility
DBE vs. DFEN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) is 12.95%, while Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (DFEN) has a volatility of 22.35%. This indicates that DBE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DBE | DFEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.95% | 22.35% | -9.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 30.86% | 53.06% | -22.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 34.97% | 63.21% | -28.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.39% | 60.16% | -30.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.33% | 71.48% | -43.15% |
DBE vs. DFEN - Expense Ratio Comparison
DBE has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEN's 0.99% expense ratio.
Dividends
DBE vs. DFEN - Dividend Comparison
DBE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, less than DFEN's 8.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 2.10% | 3.86% | 6.32% | 3.87% | 0.75% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.79% | 1.67% | 0.00% |
DFEN Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 8.74% | 8.89% | 14.12% | 1.13% | 0.46% | 1.89% | 0.48% | 0.50% | 1.07% | 1.50% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DBE and DFEN have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFEN has higher volatility (22.35%) compared to DBE (12.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBE dropped -86.69% vs DFEN's -91.36%.
On 5-year performance, DFEN leads with 26.54% vs 19.66% for DBE. On fees, DBE is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, DBE has been the lower-risk option at 12.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DFEN has performed better with a 26.54% return vs 19.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DBE is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for DFEN.
DFEN has the higher dividend yield at 8.74%, compared with 2.10% for DBE.
DBE is categorized as Oil & Gas, while DFEN is Leveraged Equities. DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index, while DFEN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for DBE and 0.99% for DFEN.
DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.95), 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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