DBO vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DBO (Invesco DB Oil Fund) and XLU (State Street Utilities 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 XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBO returned 11.37%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DBO charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

DBO vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBO achieves a 84.75% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, DBO has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.37%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

DBO

• 1D: 2.27%
• 1M: -2.34%
• YTD: 84.75%
• 6M: 81.10%
• 1Y: 80.26%
• 3Y*: 21.86%
• 5Y*: 15.98%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

DBO vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	84.75%	-11.71%	7.85%	-4.44%	13.04%	60.74%	-20.99%	28.05%	-15.22%	4.86%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between DBO and XLU is -0.09, 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	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2007	0.14

The correlation between DBO and XLU shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DBO vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

DBO vs. XLU — 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: 70
DBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
DBO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
DBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DBO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	0.63	+1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	0.94	+2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.12	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.44	1.00	+3.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	2.24	+6.79
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. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBO Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBO and XLU, 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	0.63	+1.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.54	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.48	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.40	-0.38

Drawdowns

DBO vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBO drawdown since its inception was -90.18%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBO and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBO	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.18%	-51.98%	-38.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.19%	-9.18%	-9.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.20%	-17.26%	-10.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.68%	-25.26%	-12.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.69%	-36.07%	-25.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.38%	-7.78%	-43.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-62.25%	-10.22%	-52.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.92%	4.09%	+4.83%

Volatility

DBO vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) has a higher volatility of 12.61% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.41%. This indicates that DBO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBO	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.61%	5.41%	+7.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.20%	11.53%	+16.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.46%	14.57%	+19.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.29%	17.32%	+14.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.78%	19.26%	+12.52%

DBO vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DBO vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

DBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	1.90%	3.51%	4.68%	4.59%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	1.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBO and XLU in my portfolio?

DBO and XLU have a correlation of -0.09, 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 XLU?

DBO has higher volatility (12.61%) compared to XLU (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBO dropped -90.18% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, DBO or XLU?

On 10-year performance, DBO leads with 11.37% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBO or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, DBO has performed better with a 11.37% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBO or XLU?

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.90% for DBO.

What is the main difference between DBO and XLU?

DBO is categorized as Oil & Gas, while XLU is Utilities Equities. DBO tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return, while XLU tracks Utilities 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 XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 0.63), 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.