SEIS vs. DBC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SEIS (SEI Select Small Cap ETF) and DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SEIS is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SEI, while DBC is a Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return. SEIS is actively managed, while DBC is passively managed. Over the past year, SEIS returned 31.11% vs 25.15% for DBC. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. SEIS charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DBC.

Performance

SEIS vs. DBC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) and Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEIS achieves a 17.00% return, which is significantly lower than DBC's 21.29% return.

SEIS

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 17.00%
• 6M: 14.13%
• 1Y: 31.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DBC

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -11.20%
• YTD: 21.29%
• 6M: 19.79%
• 1Y: 25.15%
• 3Y*: 10.58%
• 5Y*: 10.32%
• 10Y*: 7.89%

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

SEIS vs. DBC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	17.00%	9.81%	1.42%
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund	21.29%	8.10%	-1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIS and DBC is -0.16, 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	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2024	-0.04

The correlation between SEIS and DBC shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to -0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SEIS vs. DBC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEIS

SEIS Risk / Return Rank: 54
SEIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SEIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SEIS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SEIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SEIS Martin Ratio Rank: 58

DBC

DBC Risk / Return Rank: 40
DBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
DBC Omega Ratio Rank: 38
DBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
DBC Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

SEIS vs. DBC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) and Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC). 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.

	SEIS	DBC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.38	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	1.92	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.24	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	1.75	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.25	7.61	+1.63

SEIS vs. DBC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the DBC Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIS and DBC, 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

SEIS vs. DBC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIS drawdown since its inception was -26.08%, smaller than the maximum DBC drawdown of -76.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIS and DBC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIS	DBC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.08%	-76.36%	+50.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-14.42%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.34%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-29.84%	+28.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.83%	-46.17%	+40.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	3.33%	+0.04%

Volatility

SEIS vs. DBC - Volatility Comparison

SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) has a higher volatility of 5.87% compared to Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) at 4.63%. This indicates that SEIS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEIS	DBC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.87%	4.63%	+1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.31%	16.19%	-1.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.41%	18.75%	+0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.12%	19.21%	+2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.12%	17.80%	+4.32%

SEIS vs. DBC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIS has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than DBC's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIS vs. DBC - Dividend Comparison

SEIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than DBC's 2.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund	2.74%	3.33%	5.22%	4.94%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	1.59%	1.30%
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	0.36%	0.59%	0.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEIS and DBC in my portfolio?

SEIS and DBC have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEIS or DBC?

SEIS has higher volatility (5.87%) compared to DBC (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIS dropped -26.08% vs DBC's -76.36%.

Which ETF is better, SEIS or DBC?

On 1-year performance, SEIS leads with 31.11% vs 25.15% for DBC. On fees, SEIS is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, DBC has been the lower-risk option at 4.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIS or DBC?

Over the 1-year period, SEIS has performed better with a 31.11% return vs 25.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIS or DBC?

SEIS is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEIS or DBC?

DBC has the higher dividend yield at 2.74%, compared with 0.36% for SEIS.

What is the main difference between SEIS and DBC?

SEIS is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while DBC is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: SEI and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for SEIS and 0.85% for DBC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.38), 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.