SCO vs. DBO

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SCO (ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil) and DBO (Invesco DB Oil Fund) are both Oil & Gas funds - SCO tracks the Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (-200%) while DBO tracks the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCO returned -38.07%/yr vs 10.08%/yr for DBO. At a correlation of -0.96, they often move in opposite directions. SCO charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBO.

Performance

SCO vs. DBO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) 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, SCO achieves a -62.90% return, which is significantly lower than DBO's 60.57% return. Over the past 10 years, SCO has underperformed DBO with an annualized return of -38.07%, while DBO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.08% annualized return.

SCO

• 1D: -12.22%
• 1M: 3.82%
• 6M: -60.38%
• YTD: -62.90%
• 1Y: -55.75%
• 3Y*: -31.76%
• 5Y*: -39.58%
• 10Y*: -38.07%

DBO

• 1D: 8.47%
• 1M: -4.25%
• 6M: 54.98%
• YTD: 60.57%
• 1Y: 46.06%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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

SCO vs. DBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCO ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil	-62.90%	15.90%	-19.00%	-12.41%	-62.59%	-72.62%	-4.20%	-58.50%	19.22%	-22.40%
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	60.57%	-11.71%	7.85%	-4.44%	13.04%	60.74%	-20.99%	28.05%	-15.22%	4.86%

Correlation

The correlation between SCO and DBO is -0.98, 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	-0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2008	-0.96

The correlation between SCO and DBO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.98 to -0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCO vs. DBO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCO

SCO Risk / Return Rank: 2
SCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
SCO Martin Ratio Rank: 1

DBO

DBO Risk / Return Rank: 43
DBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
DBO Omega Ratio Rank: 43
DBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
DBO Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

SCO vs. DBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) 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.

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.

	SCO	DBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.97	1.29	-2.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.52	1.91	-3.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.23	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	1.67	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.42	4.54	-5.96

SCO vs. DBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCO Sharpe Ratio is -0.97, which is lower than the DBO Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCO 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.

Drawdowns

SCO vs. DBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCO drawdown since its inception was -99.80%, which is greater than DBO's maximum drawdown of -90.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCO and DBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCO	DBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.80%	-90.18%	-9.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-72.24%	-27.73%	-44.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-75.14%	-28.20%	-46.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.80%	-37.68%	-57.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.51%	-61.69%	-37.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.75%	-57.74%	-42.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-85.24%	-62.22%	-23.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	39.32%	10.18%	+29.14%

Volatility

SCO vs. DBO - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) has a higher volatility of 22.38% compared to Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) at 14.54%. This indicates that SCO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCO	DBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.38%	14.54%	+7.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.39%	31.13%	+18.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.01%	36.08%	+21.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	60.45%	32.94%	+27.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.82%	31.92%	+39.90%

SCO vs. DBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than DBO's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCO vs. DBO - Dividend Comparison

SCO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	2.19%	3.51%	4.68%	4.59%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	1.58%
SCO ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCO and DBO in my portfolio?

SCO and DBO have a correlation of -0.98, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCO or DBO?

SCO has higher volatility (22.38%) compared to DBO (14.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCO dropped -99.80% vs DBO's -90.18%.

Which ETF is better, SCO or DBO?

On 10-year performance, DBO leads with 10.08% vs -38.07% for SCO. On fees, DBO is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, DBO has been the lower-risk option at 14.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCO or DBO?

Over the 10-year period, DBO has performed better with a 10.08% return vs -38.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCO or DBO?

DBO is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SCO.

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

DBO has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.00% for SCO.

What is the main difference between SCO and DBO?

SCO tracks Bloomberg Commodity Balanced WTI Crude Oil Index (-200%), while DBO tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SCO and 0.78% for DBO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs -0.97), 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.