QLV vs. DBE
QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLV returned 10.73%/yr vs 19.66%/yr for DBE. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QLV charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.
Performance
QLV vs. DBE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLV achieves a 5.48% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return.
QLV
- 1D
- -0.51%
- 1M
- 2.14%
- YTD
- 5.48%
- 6M
- 5.38%
- 1Y
- 14.06%
- 3Y*
- 15.15%
- 5Y*
- 10.73%
- 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%
QLV vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 5.48% | 12.28% | 18.08% | 13.71% | -9.97% | 26.08% | 9.63% | 6.24% |
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 83.68% | -2.17% | 2.96% | -12.14% | 33.77% | 57.56% | -25.91% | 4.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between QLV and DBE is -0.22, 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 | -0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019 | 0.12 |
The correlation between QLV and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QLV vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank
QLV
DBE
QLV vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) 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.
| QLV | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.40 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.28 | 5.89 | -3.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.69 | 11.53 | -1.84 |
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
| QLV | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.85 | 2.43 | -0.58 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 | 0.67 | +0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.43 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.69 | 0.09 | +0.60 |
Drawdowns
QLV vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLV drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLV and DBE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLV | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.71% | -86.69% | +52.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.19% | -14.41% | +8.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.05% | -23.89% | +11.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.93% | -38.74% | +20.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -60.84% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.81% | -30.27% | +29.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.00% | -57.31% | +53.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.45% | 7.35% | -5.90% |
Volatility
QLV vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) is 1.61%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that QLV 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
| QLV | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.61% | 12.95% | -11.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.34% | 30.86% | -25.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.65% | 34.97% | -27.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.64% | 29.39% | -16.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.57% | 28.33% | -11.76% |
QLV vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLV has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
QLV vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison
QLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than DBE's 2.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 2.10% | 3.86% | 6.32% | 3.87% | 0.75% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.79% | 1.67% |
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.66% | 1.60% | 1.74% | 0.96% | 1.24% | 0.58% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QLV and DBE have a correlation of -0.22, 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 QLV (1.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLV dropped -33.71% vs DBE's -86.69%.
On 5-year performance, DBE leads with 19.66% vs 10.73% for QLV. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 1.61%. 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 10.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.
DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 1.52% for QLV.
QLV is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while DBE is Oil & Gas. QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for QLV and 0.78% for DBE.
DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.85), 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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