VTEL vs. DBC
VTEL (Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VTEL is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while DBC is a Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VTEL returned 8.68% vs 45.90% for DBC. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. VTEL charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DBC.
Performance
VTEL vs. DBC - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTEL achieves a 1.80% return, which is significantly lower than DBC's 35.47% return.
VTEL
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- 0.78%
- YTD
- 1.80%
- 6M
- 2.10%
- 1Y
- 8.68%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DBC
- 1D
- 0.56%
- 1M
- -3.32%
- YTD
- 35.47%
- 6M
- 35.36%
- 1Y
- 45.90%
- 3Y*
- 15.09%
- 5Y*
- 12.78%
- 10Y*
- 9.10%
VTEL vs. DBC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.80% | 6.66% |
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 35.47% | 8.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTEL and DBC is -0.21, 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 | -0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2025 | -0.21 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VTEL vs. DBC — Risk / Return Rank
VTEL
DBC
VTEL vs. DBC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) 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.
| VTEL | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.49 | 1.43 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.70 | 6.54 | -3.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.64 | 13.91 | -4.27 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VTEL | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.33 | 2.47 | -0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.67 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.51 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 2.23 | 0.12 | +2.11 |
Drawdowns
VTEL vs. DBC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTEL drawdown since its inception was -3.22%, smaller than the maximum DBC drawdown of -76.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEL and DBC.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VTEL | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.22% | -76.36% | +73.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.22% | -7.05% | +3.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -13.82% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -27.34% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.71% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.27% | -21.64% | +21.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.59% | -46.22% | +45.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.90% | 3.31% | -2.41% |
Volatility
VTEL vs. DBC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) is 1.25%, while Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) has a volatility of 6.45%. This indicates that VTEL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VTEL | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.25% | 6.45% | -5.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.62% | 15.75% | -13.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.74% | 18.68% | -14.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.77% | 19.18% | -15.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.77% | 17.81% | -14.04% |
VTEL vs. DBC - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTEL has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DBC's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTEL vs. DBC - Dividend Comparison
VTEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than DBC's 2.46% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 2.46% | 3.33% | 5.22% | 4.94% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.59% | 1.30% |
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 3.81% | 2.23% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTEL and DBC have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBC has higher volatility (6.45%) compared to VTEL (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEL dropped -3.22% vs DBC's -76.36%.
On 1-year performance, DBC leads with 45.90% vs 8.68% for VTEL. On fees, VTEL is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VTEL has been the lower-risk option at 1.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DBC has performed better with a 45.90% return vs 8.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTEL is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.
VTEL has the higher dividend yield at 3.81%, compared with 2.46% for DBC.
VTEL is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while DBC is Commodities. VTEL tracks S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while DBC tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VTEL and 0.85% for DBC.
DBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.33), 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.
Find the right allocation for VTEL and DBC
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer