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GLDI vs. DBE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GLDI vs. DBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GLDI (Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GLDI is a Precious Metals fund tracking the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLDI returned 8.99%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for DBE. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLDI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.

Performance

GLDI vs. DBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) 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, GLDI achieves a 2.06% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return. Over the past 10 years, GLDI has underperformed DBE with an annualized return of 8.99%, while DBE has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

GLDI

1D
-0.81%
1M
0.90%
YTD
2.06%
6M
4.42%
1Y
21.23%
3Y*
19.54%
5Y*
11.15%
10Y*
8.99%

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)

GLDI vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GLDI
Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN		2.06%34.25%17.76%8.93%-1.11%-3.42%23.50%14.40%-0.54%8.94%
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 GLDI and DBE is -0.10, 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

-0.10

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

0.05

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

0.10

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

0.08

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2013

0.09

The correlation between GLDI and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.10 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN

Invesco DB Energy Fund

Often compared with GLDI:
GLDI vs. IGLDGLDI vs. GLDGLDI vs. SCHDGLDI vs. GLDYGLDI vs. GLDW.LGLDI vs. BGLDGLDI vs. JEPQ
Often compared with DBE:
DBE vs. DBBDBE vs. XLEDBE vs. VDEDBE vs. COMTDBE vs. XLKDBE vs. GLDDBE vs. TIP

Return for Risk

GLDI vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GLDI
GLDI Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
GLDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GLDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3535
Sortino Ratio Rank
GLDI Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
GLDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
GLDI Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
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.

GLDI vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) 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.

GLDIDBEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.46
2.43

-0.96

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.90
2.96

-1.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.40

-0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.55

5.89

-4.34

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.07

11.53

-5.46

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

GLDI vs. DBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLDI Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the DBE Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLDI 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

GLDIDBEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.46

2.43

-0.96

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.99

0.67

+0.32

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

0.43

+0.37

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.37

0.09

+0.27

Drawdowns

GLDI vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLDI drawdown since its inception was -32.26%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDI and DBE.

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Drawdown Indicators

GLDIDBEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-32.26%

-86.69%

+54.43%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.73%

-14.41%

+0.68%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.73%

-23.89%

+10.16%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-14.07%

-38.74%

+24.67%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-14.94%

-60.84%

+45.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.37%

-30.27%

+22.90%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.00%

-57.31%

+43.31%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.50%

7.35%

-3.85%

Volatility

GLDI vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) is 3.88%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that GLDI 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

GLDIDBEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.88%

12.95%

-9.07%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.87%

30.86%

-17.99%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.57%

34.97%

-20.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

11.31%

29.39%

-18.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

11.35%

28.33%

-16.98%

GLDI vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLDI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLDI vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison

GLDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.37%, 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%
GLDI
Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN		22.37%16.15%10.45%10.02%13.73%10.65%14.25%7.25%5.33%7.77%17.26%10.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

GLDI and DBE have a correlation of -0.10, 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 GLDI (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLDI dropped -32.26% vs DBE's -86.69%.

On 10-year performance, DBE leads with 12.03% vs 8.99% for GLDI. On fees, GLDI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, GLDI has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. 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 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

GLDI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.

GLDI has the higher dividend yield at 22.37%, compared with 2.10% for DBE.

GLDI is categorized as Precious Metals, while DBE is Oil & Gas. GLDI tracks Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Credit Suisse and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for GLDI and 0.78% for DBE.

DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.46), 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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