SVXY vs. DBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SVXY (ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SVXY is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index (-100%), while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SVXY returned -1.59%/yr vs 12.03%/yr for DBE. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SVXY charges 1.38%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.

Performance

SVXY vs. DBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY) and Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVXY achieves a -0.92% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return. Over the past 10 years, SVXY has underperformed DBE with an annualized return of -1.59%, while DBE has yielded a comparatively higher 12.03% annualized return.

SVXY

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 8.44%
• YTD: -0.92%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 33.37%
• 3Y*: 13.21%
• 5Y*: 15.76%
• 10Y*: -1.59%

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%

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

SVXY vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SVXY ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF	-0.92%	10.63%	-3.17%	76.21%	-4.66%	48.53%	-36.47%	54.21%	-91.75%	181.84%
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund	83.68%	-2.17%	2.96%	-12.14%	33.77%	57.56%	-25.91%	19.72%	-12.95%	5.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SVXY and DBE is -0.27, 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	-0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2011	0.21

The correlation between SVXY and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.27 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SVXY vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVXY

SVXY Risk / Return Rank: 31
SVXY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SVXY Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SVXY Omega Ratio Rank: 34
SVXY Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SVXY Martin Ratio Rank: 32

DBE

DBE Risk / Return Rank: 71
DBE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
DBE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
DBE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
DBE Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DBE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SVXY vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY) 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.

	SVXY	DBE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	2.43	-1.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	2.96	-1.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.40	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	5.89	-4.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.78	11.53	-6.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SVXY vs. DBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVXY Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is lower than the DBE Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVXY and DBE, 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

	SVXY	DBE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	2.43	-1.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.67	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.03	0.43	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.09	+0.12

Drawdowns

SVXY vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVXY drawdown since its inception was -95.25%, which is greater than DBE's maximum drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVXY and DBE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVXY	DBE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.25%	-86.69%	-8.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.94%	-14.41%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.45%	-23.89%	-22.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.45%	-38.74%	-7.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-95.25%	-60.84%	-34.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-80.15%	-30.27%	-49.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-56.87%	-57.31%	+0.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.00%	7.35%	-0.35%

Volatility

SVXY vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY) is 3.76%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that SVXY 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.

Volatility by Period

	SVXY	DBE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	12.95%	-9.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.42%	30.86%	-9.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.62%	34.97%	-6.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.38%	29.39%	+5.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.75%	28.33%	+22.42%

SVXY vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVXY has a 1.38% expense ratio, which is higher than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVXY vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison

SVXY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DBE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%.

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%
SVXY ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF	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 SVXY and DBE in my portfolio?

SVXY and DBE have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVXY or DBE?

DBE has higher volatility (12.95%) compared to SVXY (3.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVXY dropped -95.25% vs DBE's -86.69%.

Which ETF is better, SVXY or DBE?

On 10-year performance, DBE leads with 12.03% vs -1.59% for SVXY. On fees, DBE is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, SVXY has been the lower-risk option at 3.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SVXY or DBE?

Over the 10-year period, DBE has performed better with a 12.03% return vs -1.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SVXY or DBE?

DBE is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 1.38% for SVXY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SVXY or DBE?

DBE has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 0.00% for SVXY.

What is the main difference between SVXY and DBE?

SVXY is categorized as Volatility, while DBE is Oil & Gas. SVXY tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index (-100%), while DBE tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.38% for SVXY and 0.78% for DBE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.17), 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.