VEGI vs. DBA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VEGI (iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF) and DBA (Invesco DB Agriculture Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VEGI is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index, while DBA is a Agricultural Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index TR. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEGI returned 8.50%/yr vs 3.01%/yr for DBA. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VEGI charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.94%/yr for DBA.

Performance

VEGI vs. DBA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) and Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEGI achieves a 13.92% return, which is significantly higher than DBA's 2.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VEGI has outperformed DBA with an annualized return of 8.50%, while DBA has yielded a comparatively lower 3.01% annualized return.

VEGI

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: -3.45%
• YTD: 13.92%
• 6M: 12.08%
• 1Y: 10.54%
• 3Y*: 5.76%
• 5Y*: 3.49%
• 10Y*: 8.50%

DBA

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: -7.12%
• YTD: 2.82%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 0.84%
• 3Y*: 11.58%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 3.01%

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

VEGI vs. DBA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	13.92%	11.34%	-4.85%	-8.59%	6.34%	21.56%	20.06%	13.52%	-9.76%	19.79%
DBA Invesco DB Agriculture Fund	2.82%	-0.56%	33.45%	7.64%	2.53%	22.37%	-2.54%	-0.71%	-8.74%	-6.06%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGI and DBA is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.25

VEGI vs. DBA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEGI	DBA
Industrials	34.6%	15.2%
Consumer Defensive	33.0%	8.8%
Basic Materials	31.4%	10.7%
Communication Services	-	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.8%
Energy	-	5.3%
Financial Services	-	13.7%
Healthcare	-	16.8%
Real Estate	-	1.1%
Technology	-	6.3%
Utilities	-	2.9%

Return for Risk

VEGI vs. DBA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEGI

VEGI Risk / Return Rank: 24
VEGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VEGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VEGI Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VEGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VEGI Martin Ratio Rank: 23

DBA

DBA Risk / Return Rank: 10
DBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
DBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DBA Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
DBA Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

VEGI vs. DBA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) and Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA). 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.

	VEGI	DBA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	0.06	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	0.16	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.02	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	0.08	+1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.64	0.16	+2.48

VEGI vs. DBA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGI Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is higher than the DBA Sharpe Ratio of 0.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGI and DBA, 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

VEGI vs. DBA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGI drawdown since its inception was -37.37%, smaller than the maximum DBA drawdown of -67.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGI and DBA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGI	DBA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.37%	-67.97%	+30.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.61%	-8.67%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.71%	-12.36%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.86%	-15.94%	-12.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.37%	-40.67%	+3.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.83%	-27.61%	+20.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.82%	-41.08%	+31.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	4.10%	-0.03%

Volatility

VEGI vs. DBA - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA) at 3.33%. This indicates that VEGI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEGI	DBA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	3.33%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.07%	6.56%	+5.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.02%	10.64%	+4.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.91%	14.08%	+3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.92%	13.07%	+5.85%

VEGI vs. DBA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGI has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than DBA's 0.94% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGI vs. DBA - Dividend Comparison

VEGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, less than DBA's 3.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBA Invesco DB Agriculture Fund	3.48%	3.58%	4.08%	4.63%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	1.55%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	2.05%	2.33%	2.62%	2.54%	1.49%	1.46%	1.55%	1.84%	2.02%	1.75%	2.13%	2.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGI and DBA in my portfolio?

VEGI and DBA have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEGI or DBA?

VEGI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to DBA (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGI dropped -37.37% vs DBA's -67.97%.

Which ETF is better, VEGI or DBA?

On 10-year performance, VEGI leads with 8.50% vs 3.01% for DBA. On fees, VEGI is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, DBA has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEGI or DBA?

Over the 10-year period, VEGI has performed better with a 8.50% return vs 3.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEGI or DBA?

VEGI is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for DBA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEGI or DBA?

DBA has the higher dividend yield at 3.48%, compared with 2.05% for VEGI.

What is the main difference between VEGI and DBA?

VEGI is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while DBA is Agricultural Commodities. VEGI tracks MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index, while DBA tracks DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index TR. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for VEGI and 0.94% for DBA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.06), 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.