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HEFA vs. DBE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

HEFA vs. DBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HEFA (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - HEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE 100% Hedged to USD Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HEFA returned 12.60%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for DBE. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HEFA charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.

Performance

HEFA vs. DBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) 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, HEFA achieves a 10.24% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with HEFA having a 12.60% annualized return and DBE not far behind at 12.03%.

HEFA

1D
-0.45%
1M
4.65%
YTD
10.24%
6M
12.49%
1Y
25.95%
3Y*
18.32%
5Y*
13.52%
10Y*
12.60%

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)

HEFA vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
HEFA
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF		10.24%24.58%13.71%20.33%-4.86%19.59%2.09%27.63%-9.33%16.67%
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 HEFA and DBE is -0.35, 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

-0.35

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

-0.09

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

0.07

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

0.19

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2014

0.21

The correlation between HEFA and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.35 (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 Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

Invesco DB Energy Fund

Often compared with HEFA:
HEFA vs. DBEFHEFA vs. HAWXHEFA vs. FNDFHEFA vs. IDMOHEFA vs. HSCZHEFA vs. HEWJHEFA vs. HEZU
Often compared with DBE:
DBE vs. DBBDBE vs. XLEDBE vs. VDEDBE vs. COMTDBE vs. XLKDBE vs. GLDDBE vs. TIP

Return for Risk

HEFA vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
HEFA
HEFA Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
HEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
HEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
HEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
HEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
HEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
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.

HEFA vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) 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.

HEFADBEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.07
2.43

-0.36

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.90
2.96

-0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.40

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.74

5.89

-3.15

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.43

11.53

-0.09

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

HEFA vs. DBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEFA Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the DBE Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEFA 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

HEFADBEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.07

2.43

-0.36

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

0.80

0.43

+0.37

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.66

0.09

+0.57

Drawdowns

HEFA vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEFA drawdown since its inception was -32.39%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEFA and DBE.

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Drawdown Indicators

HEFADBEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-32.39%

-86.69%

+54.30%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.52%

-14.41%

+4.89%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.28%

-23.89%

+9.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-14.79%

-38.74%

+23.95%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-32.39%

-60.84%

+28.45%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.45%

-30.27%

+29.82%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.17%

-57.31%

+53.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.28%

7.35%

-5.07%

Volatility

HEFA vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is 4.05%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that HEFA 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

HEFADBEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.05%

12.95%

-8.90%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.13%

30.86%

-20.73%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.59%

34.97%

-22.38%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.76%

29.39%

-15.63%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.86%

28.33%

-12.47%

HEFA vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

HEFA has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

HEFA vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison

HEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, 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%
HEFA
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF		3.99%4.40%3.09%3.02%25.14%3.06%2.10%7.56%4.58%2.55%3.17%3.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

HEFA and DBE have a correlation of -0.35, 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 HEFA (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEFA dropped -32.39% vs DBE's -86.69%.

On 10-year performance, HEFA leads with 12.60% vs 12.03% for DBE. On fees, HEFA is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, HEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, HEFA has performed better with a 12.60% return vs 12.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

HEFA is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.

HEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 2.10% for DBE.

HEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. HEFA tracks MSCI EAFE 100% Hedged to USD Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for HEFA and 0.78% for DBE.

DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.07), 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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