RFDI vs. DBE
RFDI (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - RFDI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. RFDI is actively managed, while DBE is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFDI returned 9.15%/yr vs 12.24%/yr for DBE. Their 0.21 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. RFDI charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.
Performance
RFDI vs. DBE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFDI achieves a 15.09% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 71.26% return. Over the past 10 years, RFDI has underperformed DBE with an annualized return of 9.15%, while DBE has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.
RFDI
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- 4.03%
- 6M
- 7.50%
- YTD
- 15.09%
- 1Y
- 31.09%
- 3Y*
- 20.86%
- 5Y*
- 8.41%
- 10Y*
- 9.15%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.05%
DBE
- 1D
- -4.26%
- 1M
- 15.98%
- 6M
- 57.84%
- YTD
- 71.26%
- 1Y
- 61.44%
- 3Y*
- 15.22%
- 5Y*
- 17.82%
- 10Y*
- 12.24%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.29%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.27M | $1.08M | $1.67M | |
| $615.45K | $498.53K | $409.01K |
RFDI vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF | 15.09% | 35.95% | 5.56% | 18.14% | -23.57% | 17.36% | 9.16% | 20.47% | -18.26% | 24.08% |
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 71.26% | -2.17% | 2.96% | -12.14% | 33.77% | 57.56% | -25.91% | 19.72% | -12.95% | 5.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFDI and DBE is -0.28, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.11 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2016 | 0.21 |
The correlation between RFDI and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RFDI vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank
RFDI
DBE
RFDI vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| RFDI | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.28 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.06 | 2.50 | +0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.21 | 7.82 | +3.39 |
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Drawdowns
RFDI vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFDI drawdown since its inception was -39.40%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFDI and DBE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFDI | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.40% | -86.69% | +47.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.20% | -24.72% | +14.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.44% | -24.72% | +11.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.87% | -38.74% | +2.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.40% | -60.84% | +21.44% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -34.98% | +34.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.11% | -57.13% | +48.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.78% | 7.90% | -5.12% |
Volatility
RFDI vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) is 3.98%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 15.07%. This indicates that RFDI 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
| RFDI | DBE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.98% | 15.07% | -11.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.65% | 34.26% | -21.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.88% | 37.66% | -22.78% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.84% | 30.15% | -13.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.03% | 28.60% | -11.57% |
RFDI vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFDI has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
RFDI vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison
RFDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, more than DBE's 2.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund | 2.26% | 3.86% | 6.32% | 3.87% | 0.75% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.79% | 1.67% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF | 3.07% | 3.45% | 5.21% | 2.43% | 5.00% | 3.22% | 1.34% | 2.72% | 2.59% | 1.63% | 1.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RFDI and DBE have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBE has higher volatility (15.07%) compared to RFDI (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFDI dropped -39.40% vs DBE's -86.69%.
On 10-year performance, DBE leads with 12.24% vs 9.15% for RFDI. On fees, DBE is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, RFDI has been the lower-risk option at 3.98%. 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 12.24% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DBE is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFDI.
RFDI has the higher dividend yield at 3.07%, compared with 2.26% for DBE.
RFDI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DBE is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for RFDI and 0.78% for DBE.
RFDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.64), 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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