VSLU vs. DBO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSLU (Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF) and DBO (Invesco DB Oil Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VSLU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Applied Finance, while DBO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index Excess Return. VSLU is actively managed, while DBO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VSLU returned 14.17%/yr vs 15.36%/yr for DBO. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSLU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBO.

Performance

VSLU vs. DBO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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, VSLU achieves a 6.60% return, which is significantly lower than DBO's 79.84% return.

VSLU

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 6.60%
• 6M: 7.46%
• 1Y: 25.46%
• 3Y*: 22.08%
• 5Y*: 14.17%
• 10Y*: —

DBO

• 1D: -2.66%
• 1M: -3.39%
• YTD: 79.84%
• 6M: 74.51%
• 1Y: 77.38%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 15.36%
• 10Y*: 10.89%

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

VSLU vs. DBO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	6.60%	21.52%	23.80%	26.79%	-16.05%	14.05%
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	79.84%	-11.71%	7.85%	-4.44%	13.04%	20.55%

Correlation

The correlation between VSLU and DBO is -0.31, 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	-0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2021	0.07

The correlation between VSLU and DBO shifts across timeframes, from -0.31 (1 year) to 0.07 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VSLU vs. DBO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSLU	DBO
Technology	36.3%	-
Communication Services	14.7%	-
Healthcare	11.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	-
Financial Services	9.4%	116.0%
Industrials	7.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	-
Energy	2.3%	-
Utilities	1.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

VSLU vs. DBO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSLU

VSLU Risk / Return Rank: 62
VSLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VSLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VSLU Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VSLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VSLU Martin Ratio Rank: 68

DBO

DBO Risk / Return Rank: 65
DBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
DBO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
DBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DBO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VSLU vs. DBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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.

	VSLU	DBO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.25	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.85	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.36	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	4.28	-1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	8.69	+3.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSLU vs. DBO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the DBO Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSLU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSLU	DBO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.25	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.48	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.02	+0.85

Drawdowns

VSLU vs. DBO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSLU drawdown since its inception was -23.86%, smaller than the maximum DBO drawdown of -90.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSLU and DBO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSLU	DBO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.86%	-90.18%	+66.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-18.19%	+9.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	-28.20%	+10.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.86%	-37.68%	+13.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-61.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-52.68%	+52.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-62.25%	+57.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	8.94%	-6.88%

Volatility

VSLU vs. DBO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) is 2.56%, while Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) has a volatility of 12.79%. This indicates that VSLU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSLU	DBO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	12.79%	-10.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.29%	28.32%	-19.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.51%	34.58%	-22.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	32.31%	-16.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.13%	31.79%	-15.66%

VSLU vs. DBO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSLU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than DBO's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSLU vs. DBO - Dividend Comparison

VSLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than DBO's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DBO Invesco DB Oil Fund	1.95%	3.51%	4.68%	4.59%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	1.58%
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	0.43%	0.46%	0.60%	0.60%	0.99%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSLU and DBO in my portfolio?

VSLU and DBO have a correlation of -0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSLU or DBO?

DBO has higher volatility (12.79%) compared to VSLU (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSLU dropped -23.86% vs DBO's -90.18%.

Which ETF is better, VSLU or DBO?

On 5-year performance, DBO leads with 15.36% vs 14.17% for VSLU. On fees, VSLU is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, VSLU has been the lower-risk option at 2.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSLU or DBO?

Over the 5-year period, DBO has performed better with a 15.36% return vs 14.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSLU or DBO?

VSLU is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for DBO.

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

DBO has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 0.43% for VSLU.

What is the main difference between VSLU and DBO?

VSLU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DBO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Applied Finance and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for VSLU and 0.78% for DBO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 2.04), 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.