DBO vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DBO (Invesco DB Oil Fund) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBO returned 11.12%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for XLE. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DBO charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

DBO vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBO achieves a 80.66% return, which is significantly higher than XLE's 30.48% return. Over the past 10 years, DBO has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 11.12%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 10.08% annualized return.

DBO

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 80.66%
• 6M: 78.46%
• 1Y: 78.18%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 15.57%
• 10Y*: 11.12%

XLE

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 30.48%
• 6M: 30.54%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 20.29%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

DBO vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	80.66%	-11.71%	7.85%	-4.44%	13.04%	60.74%	-20.99%	28.05%	-15.22%	4.86%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	30.48%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between DBO and XLE is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2007	0.63

The correlation between DBO and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

DBO vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBO	XLE
Financial Services	116.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DBO vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBO

DBO Risk / Return Rank: 65
DBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
DBO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
DBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
DBO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 64
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

DBO vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	DBO	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.20	+0.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.83	+0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.35	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.62	3.88	+0.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.43	11.35	-1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBO vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBO Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBO and XLE, 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

	DBO	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.20	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.78	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.34	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.31	-0.29

Drawdowns

DBO vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBO drawdown since its inception was -90.18%, which is greater than XLE's maximum drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBO and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBO	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.18%	-71.26%	-18.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.19%	-12.05%	-6.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.20%	-20.14%	-8.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.68%	-26.04%	-11.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.69%	-66.81%	+5.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-52.46%	-7.35%	-45.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-62.25%	-17.98%	-44.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.92%	4.12%	+4.80%

Volatility

DBO vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) has a higher volatility of 13.25% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 8.19%. This indicates that DBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBO	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.25%	8.19%	+5.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.15%	16.56%	+11.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.54%	20.53%	+14.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.28%	26.01%	+6.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.78%	29.59%	+2.19%

DBO vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBO has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBO vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

DBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than XLE's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	1.94%	3.51%	4.68%	4.59%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	1.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.57%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBO and XLE in my portfolio?

DBO and XLE have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBO or XLE?

DBO has higher volatility (13.25%) compared to XLE (8.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBO dropped -90.18% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, DBO or XLE?

On 10-year performance, DBO leads with 11.12% vs 10.08% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 8.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBO or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, DBO has performed better with a 11.12% return vs 10.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBO or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DBO or XLE?

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 1.94% for DBO.

What is the main difference between DBO and XLE?

DBO is categorized as Oil & Gas, while XLE is Energy Equities. DBO tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for DBO and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.20), 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.