FSCS vs. DBE
FSCS (First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FSCS is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the SMID Capital Strength Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSCS returned 4.93%/yr vs 19.66%/yr for DBE. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSCS charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.
Performance
FSCS vs. DBE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSCS achieves a -1.53% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return.
FSCS
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -1.54%
- YTD
- -1.53%
- 6M
- -1.11%
- 1Y
- -1.10%
- 3Y*
- 9.79%
- 5Y*
- 4.93%
- 10Y*
- —
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%
FSCS vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSCS First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF | -1.53% | 1.77% | 14.98% | 16.81% | -9.11% | 26.08% | 5.71% | 28.00% | -12.85% | 10.74% |
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 83.68% | -2.17% | 2.96% | -12.14% | 33.77% | 57.56% | -25.91% | 19.72% | -12.95% | 33.55% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSCS and DBE is -0.26, 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 | -0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2017 | 0.19 |
The correlation between FSCS and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FSCS vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank
FSCS
DBE
FSCS vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) 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.
| FSCS | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.99 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.40 | -0.40 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.14 | 5.89 | -6.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.31 | 11.53 | -11.83 |
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
| FSCS | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.09 | 2.43 | -2.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 | 0.67 | -0.40 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.43 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.09 | +0.29 |
Drawdowns
FSCS vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSCS drawdown since its inception was -43.57%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSCS and DBE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSCS | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.57% | -86.69% | +43.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.81% | -14.41% | +6.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.55% | -23.89% | +4.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.25% | -38.74% | +17.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -60.84% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.32% | -30.27% | +22.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.99% | -57.31% | +51.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.60% | 7.35% | -3.75% |
Volatility
FSCS vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) is 3.07%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that FSCS 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
| FSCS | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.07% | 12.95% | -9.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.22% | 30.86% | -22.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.70% | 34.97% | -22.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.09% | 29.39% | -11.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.20% | 28.33% | -7.13% |
FSCS vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSCS has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
FSCS vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison
FSCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than DBE's 2.10% 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% |
FSCS First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF | 0.91% | 0.75% | 1.12% | 1.47% | 1.71% | 1.21% | 1.33% | 1.68% | 1.67% | 0.67% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FSCS and DBE have a correlation of -0.26, 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 FSCS (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSCS dropped -43.57% vs DBE's -86.69%.
On 5-year performance, DBE leads with 19.66% vs 4.93% for FSCS. On fees, FSCS is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FSCS has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DBE has performed better with a 19.66% return vs 4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FSCS is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.
DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 0.91% for FSCS.
FSCS is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. FSCS tracks SMID Capital Strength Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FSCS and 0.78% for DBE.
DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs -0.09), 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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