QLVE vs. DBO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLVE (FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and DBO (Invesco DB Oil Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QLVE is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index, while DBO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLVE returned 7.43%/yr vs 15.98%/yr for DBO. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QLVE charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBO.

Performance

QLVE vs. DBO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) and Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLVE achieves a 18.06% return, which is significantly lower than DBO's 84.75% return.

QLVE

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 7.29%
• YTD: 18.06%
• 6M: 19.74%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 18.46%
• 5Y*: 7.43%
• 10Y*: —

DBO

• 1D: 2.27%
• 1M: -2.34%
• YTD: 84.75%
• 6M: 81.10%
• 1Y: 80.26%
• 3Y*: 21.86%
• 5Y*: 15.98%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QLVE vs. DBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	18.06%	21.87%	10.17%	8.53%	-13.10%	0.90%	4.16%	4.98%
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	84.75%	-11.71%	7.85%	-4.44%	13.04%	60.74%	-20.99%	7.07%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVE and DBO is -0.29, 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	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.15

The correlation between QLVE and DBO shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.15 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QLVE vs. DBO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVE	DBO
Technology	59.6%	-
Financial Services	38.5%	116.0%
Communication Services	18.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	10.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Healthcare	7.6%	-
Energy	7.2%	-
Industrials	7.1%	-
Basic Materials	5.5%	-
Utilities	5.4%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QLVE vs. DBO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QLVE

QLVE Risk / Return Rank: 64
QLVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QLVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
QLVE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QLVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QLVE Martin Ratio Rank: 66

DBO

DBO Risk / Return Rank: 65
DBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
DBO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
DBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DBO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

QLVE vs. DBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) and Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO). 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.

	QLVE	DBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.34	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.94	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	4.44	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	9.02	+2.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QLVE vs. DBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVE Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the DBO Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVE and DBO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QLVE	DBO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	2.34	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.50	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.36	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.02	+0.46

Drawdowns

QLVE vs. DBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVE drawdown since its inception was -29.96%, smaller than the maximum DBO drawdown of -90.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVE and DBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVE	DBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.96%	-90.18%	+60.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-18.19%	+6.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-28.20%	+14.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.94%	-37.68%	+13.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-61.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-51.38%	+50.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-62.25%	+53.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	8.92%	-6.04%

Volatility

QLVE vs. DBO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) is 6.82%, while Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) has a volatility of 12.61%. This indicates that QLVE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVE	DBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.82%	12.61%	-5.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.82%	28.20%	-13.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	34.46%	-18.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.48%	32.29%	-18.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.79%	31.78%	-15.99%

QLVE vs. DBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than DBO's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVE vs. DBO - Dividend Comparison

QLVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, more than DBO's 1.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	1.90%	3.51%	4.68%	4.59%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	1.58%
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.42%	3.14%	3.11%	3.00%	2.48%	2.57%	1.66%	1.27%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVE and DBO in my portfolio?

QLVE and DBO have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLVE or DBO?

DBO has higher volatility (12.61%) compared to QLVE (6.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVE dropped -29.96% vs DBO's -90.18%.

Which ETF is better, QLVE or DBO?

On 5-year performance, DBO leads with 15.98% vs 7.43% for QLVE. On fees, QLVE is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, QLVE has been the lower-risk option at 6.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVE or DBO?

Over the 5-year period, DBO has performed better with a 15.98% return vs 7.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVE or DBO?

QLVE is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLVE or DBO?

QLVE has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.90% for DBO.

What is the main difference between QLVE and DBO?

QLVE is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while DBO is Oil & Gas. QLVE tracks Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index, while DBO tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QLVE and 0.78% for DBO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.10), 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.