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FXL vs. DBE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FXL vs. DBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 21.15%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for DBE. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.

Performance

FXL vs. DBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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, FXL achieves a 31.98% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has outperformed DBE with an annualized return of 21.15%, while DBE has yielded a comparatively lower 12.03% annualized return.

FXL

1D
-0.88%
1M
17.50%
YTD
31.98%
6M
30.18%
1Y
48.07%
3Y*
26.93%
5Y*
13.48%
10Y*
21.15%

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)

FXL vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FXL
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund		31.98%13.29%16.13%40.50%-30.44%18.20%54.20%38.66%2.72%35.82%
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 FXL and DBE is -0.23, 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

-0.23

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

-0.04

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

0.07

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

0.13

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007

0.23

The correlation between FXL and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to 0.23 (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.

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund

Invesco DB Energy Fund

Often compared with FXL:
FXL vs. QQQFXL vs. FTECFXL vs. VUGFXL vs. XLKFXL vs. IYWFXL vs. QQQMFXL vs. VOO
Often compared with DBE:
DBE vs. DBBDBE vs. XLEDBE vs. VDEDBE vs. COMTDBE vs. XLKDBE vs. GLDDBE vs. TIP

Return for Risk

FXL vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FXL
FXL Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
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.

FXL vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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.

FXLDBEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.16
2.43

-0.27

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.84
2.96

-0.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.40

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.56

5.89

-2.33

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.95

11.53

+0.42

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

FXL vs. DBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the DBE Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL 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

FXLDBEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.16

2.43

-0.27

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.54

0.67

-0.13

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.84

0.43

+0.41

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.56

0.09

+0.46

Drawdowns

FXL vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and DBE.

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Drawdown Indicators

FXLDBEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.41%

-86.69%

+25.28%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.56%

-14.41%

+0.85%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.27%

-23.89%

-4.38%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.49%

-38.74%

+0.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.49%

-60.84%

+22.35%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.88%

-30.27%

+29.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.37%

-57.31%

+45.94%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.03%

7.35%

-3.32%

Volatility

FXL vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) is 7.61%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that FXL 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

FXLDBEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.61%

12.95%

-5.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.47%

30.86%

-13.39%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.42%

34.97%

-12.55%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.12%

29.39%

-4.27%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.28%

28.33%

-3.05%

FXL vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison

FXL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DBE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%.

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%
FXL
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund		0.00%0.01%0.11%0.41%0.34%0.11%0.04%0.37%0.32%0.27%1.12%0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

FXL and DBE have a correlation of -0.23, 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 FXL (7.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs DBE's -86.69%.

On 10-year performance, FXL leads with 21.15% vs 12.03% for DBE. On fees, FXL is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, FXL has been the lower-risk option at 7.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FXL has performed better with a 21.15% return vs 12.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FXL is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.

DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 0.00% for FXL.

FXL is categorized as Technology Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.78% for DBE.

DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.16), 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

Find the right allocation for FXL and DBE

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