QSML vs. DBE
QSML (Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QSML is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QSML returned 21.62% vs 84.41% for DBE. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. QSML charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.
Performance
QSML vs. DBE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QSML achieves a 8.06% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return.
QSML
- 1D
- -0.96%
- 1M
- 2.05%
- YTD
- 8.06%
- 6M
- 7.79%
- 1Y
- 21.62%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 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%
QSML vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund | 8.06% | 5.49% | 10.38% |
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 83.68% | -2.17% | -2.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between QSML and DBE is -0.25, 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 | -0.25 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2024 | -0.04 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between QSML and DBE has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.04 to -0.25, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
QSML vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank
QSML
DBE
QSML vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) 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.
| QSML | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.40 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.03 | 5.89 | -3.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.71 | 11.53 | -4.82 |
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
| QSML | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.25 | 2.43 | -1.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.67 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.43 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.09 | +0.40 |
Drawdowns
QSML vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QSML drawdown since its inception was -28.54%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QSML and DBE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QSML | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.54% | -86.69% | +58.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.72% | -14.41% | +3.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -23.89% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -38.74% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -60.84% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.10% | -30.27% | +29.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.98% | -57.31% | +51.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.23% | 7.35% | -4.12% |
Volatility
QSML vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) is 4.35%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that QSML 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
| QSML | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.35% | 12.95% | -8.60% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.86% | 30.86% | -19.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.46% | 34.97% | -17.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 29.39% | -8.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 28.33% | -7.47% |
QSML vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison
QSML has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
QSML vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison
QSML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, 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% |
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund | 0.58% | 0.62% | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QSML and DBE have a correlation of -0.25, 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 QSML (4.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QSML dropped -28.54% vs DBE's -86.69%.
On 1-year performance, DBE leads with 84.41% vs 21.62% for QSML. On fees, QSML is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, QSML has been the lower-risk option at 4.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DBE has performed better with a 84.41% return vs 21.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QSML is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBE.
DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 0.58% for QSML.
QSML is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. QSML tracks WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for QSML and 0.78% for DBE.
DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.25), 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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