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ECNS vs. DBE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ECNS vs. DBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECNS (iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ECNS is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI China Small Cap Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ECNS returned 1.88%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for DBE. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ECNS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.

Performance

ECNS vs. DBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS) and Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECNS achieves a -4.50% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return. Over the past 10 years, ECNS has underperformed DBE with an annualized return of 1.88%, while DBE has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

ECNS

1D
-2.25%
1M
-6.37%
YTD
-4.50%
6M
-7.48%
1Y
13.77%
3Y*
7.43%
5Y*
-6.97%
10Y*
1.88%

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

ECNS vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ECNS
iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF		-4.50%36.49%5.64%-23.05%-24.58%2.11%25.42%7.84%-18.27%27.55%
DBE
Invesco DB Energy Fund		83.68%-2.17%2.96%-12.14%33.77%57.56%-25.91%19.72%-12.95%5.21%

Correlation

The correlation between ECNS and DBE is -0.21, 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

-0.21

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.05

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.16

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2010

0.21

The correlation between ECNS and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF

Invesco DB Energy Fund

Often compared with ECNS:
ECNS vs. ASHSECNS vs. MCHIECNS vs. CNXTECNS vs. DFAEECNS vs. CQQQECNS vs. FLCHECNS vs. EWT
Often compared with DBE:
DBE vs. DBBDBE vs. XLEDBE vs. VDEDBE vs. COMTDBE vs. XLKDBE vs. GLDDBE vs. TIP

Return for Risk

ECNS vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ECNS
ECNS Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
ECNS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ECNS Sortino Ratio Rank: 1919
Sortino Ratio Rank
ECNS Omega Ratio Rank: 2020
Omega Ratio Rank
ECNS Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
ECNS Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
DBE
DBE Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
DBE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DBE Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
DBE Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
DBE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
DBE Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ECNS vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS) and Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE). 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.

ECNSDBEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.66
2.43

-1.77

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.00
2.96

-1.95

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.40

-0.27

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.76

5.89

-5.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.51

11.53

-10.02

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECNS vs. DBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECNS Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the DBE Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECNS and DBE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ECNSDBEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.66

2.43

-1.77

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.24

0.67

-0.91

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.07

0.43

-0.35

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.02

0.09

-0.07

Drawdowns

ECNS vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECNS drawdown since its inception was -63.43%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECNS and DBE.

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Drawdown Indicators

ECNSDBEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-63.43%

-86.69%

+23.26%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-18.08%

-14.41%

-3.67%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-31.72%

-23.89%

-7.83%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-59.61%

-38.74%

-20.87%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-63.43%

-60.84%

-2.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-38.52%

-30.27%

-8.25%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-29.39%

-57.31%

+27.92%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

9.14%

7.35%

+1.79%

Volatility

ECNS vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF (ECNS) is 5.64%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that ECNS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ECNSDBEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.64%

12.95%

-7.31%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.87%

30.86%

-17.99%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.92%

34.97%

-14.05%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.44%

29.39%

+0.05%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.90%

28.33%

-2.43%

ECNS vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECNS has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECNS vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison

ECNS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.49%, more than DBE's 2.10% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%0.00%0.00%
ECNS
iShares MSCI China Small-Cap ETF		6.49%6.20%5.98%4.89%3.54%4.87%3.59%3.23%6.16%3.18%4.29%3.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

ECNS and DBE have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DBE has higher volatility (12.95%) compared to ECNS (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECNS dropped -63.43% vs DBE's -86.69%.

On 10-year performance, DBE leads with 12.03% vs 1.88% for ECNS. On fees, ECNS is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, ECNS has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, DBE has performed better with a 12.03% return vs 1.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ECNS is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.

ECNS has the higher dividend yield at 6.49%, compared with 2.10% for DBE.

ECNS is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. ECNS tracks MSCI China Small Cap Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for ECNS and 0.78% for DBE.

DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.66), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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