DBE vs. GLD
DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBE returned 10.19%/yr vs 11.80%/yr for GLD. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DBE charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
DBE vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DBE achieves a 54.94% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.96% return. Over the past 10 years, DBE has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 10.19%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.80% annualized return.
DBE
- 1D
- -1.50%
- 1M
- -15.70%
- YTD
- 54.94%
- 6M
- 54.06%
- 1Y
- 36.16%
- 3Y*
- 17.07%
- 5Y*
- 14.87%
- 10Y*
- 10.19%
GLD
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- -7.06%
- YTD
- -2.96%
- 6M
- -5.79%
- 1Y
- 24.01%
- 3Y*
- 29.23%
- 5Y*
- 18.28%
- 10Y*
- 11.80%
DBE vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 54.94% | -2.17% | 2.96% | -12.14% | 33.77% | 57.56% | -25.91% | 19.72% | -12.95% | 5.21% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -2.96% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between DBE and GLD is -0.08, 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 | -0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2007 | 0.18 |
The correlation between DBE and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.18 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DBE vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
DBE
GLD
DBE vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). 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.
| DBE | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.18 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.75 | 0.99 | +0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.77 | 2.68 | +3.09 |
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Drawdowns
DBE vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DBE drawdown since its inception was -86.69%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBE and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DBE | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -86.69% | -45.56% | -41.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.78% | -24.46% | +3.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.89% | -24.46% | +0.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.74% | -24.46% | -14.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -60.84% | -24.46% | -36.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -41.18% | -22.45% | -18.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -57.24% | -16.16% | -41.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.02% | 8.97% | -0.95% |
Volatility
DBE vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a higher volatility of 9.38% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 8.05%. This indicates that DBE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DBE | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.38% | 8.05% | +1.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 31.50% | 24.31% | +7.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 35.33% | 27.56% | +7.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.58% | 18.22% | +11.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.37% | 16.10% | +12.27% |
DBE vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
DBE has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
DBE vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
DBE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 2.49% | 3.86% | 6.32% | 3.87% | 0.75% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.79% | 1.67% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DBE and GLD have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBE has higher volatility (9.38%) compared to GLD (8.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBE dropped -86.69% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 11.80% vs 10.19% for DBE. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 8.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 11.80% return vs 10.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.
DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
DBE is categorized as Oil & Gas, while GLD is Gold. DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for DBE and 0.40% for GLD.
DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.88), 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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