VXUS vs. DBC
VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while DBC is a Commodities fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 9.44%/yr vs 9.54%/yr for DBC. Their 0.37 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DBC.
Performance
VXUS vs. DBC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 12.75% return, which is significantly lower than DBC's 31.71% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VXUS having a 9.44% annualized return and DBC not far ahead at 9.54%.
VXUS
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- 6.78%
- YTD
- 12.75%
- 1Y
- 27.56%
- 3Y*
- 17.23%
- 5Y*
- 8.78%
- 10Y*
- 9.44%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.55%
DBC
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- 10.84%
- 6M
- 20.55%
- YTD
- 31.71%
- 1Y
- 37.81%
- 3Y*
- 11.07%
- 5Y*
- 11.66%
- 10Y*
- 9.54%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.04%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27.92M | $29.19M | $34.33M | |
| $362.62M | $406.11M | $507.75M |
VXUS vs. DBC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 12.75% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 15.86% | -16.08% | 8.98% | 10.66% | 21.75% | -14.43% | 27.46% |
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 31.71% | 8.10% | 2.18% | -6.19% | 19.34% | 41.36% | -7.84% | 11.84% | -11.63% | 4.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXUS and DBC is -0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.11 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011 | 0.37 |
The correlation between VXUS and DBC shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.37 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VXUS vs. DBC — Risk / Return Rank
VXUS
DBC
VXUS vs. DBC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) 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.
| VXUS | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.31 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.42 | 2.16 | +0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.87 | 7.20 | +1.67 |
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Drawdowns
VXUS vs. DBC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum DBC drawdown of -76.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and DBC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXUS | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.97% | -76.36% | +40.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.27% | -16.54% | +5.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.58% | -16.54% | +2.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.44% | -27.34% | -2.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.97% | -41.71% | +5.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.84% | -23.81% | +20.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.16% | -46.07% | +37.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.07% | 5.00% | -1.93% |
Volatility
VXUS vs. DBC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is 5.29%, while Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) has a volatility of 7.01%. This indicates that VXUS 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VXUS | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.29% | 7.01% | -1.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.06% | 17.35% | -2.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.86% | 19.58% | -2.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.35% | 19.31% | -2.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.03% | 17.87% | -0.84% |
VXUS vs. DBC - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than DBC's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
VXUS vs. DBC - Dividend Comparison
VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than DBC's 2.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 2.53% | 3.33% | 5.22% | 4.94% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.59% | 1.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.59% | 3.18% | 3.37% | 3.24% | 3.09% | 3.10% | 2.14% | 3.06% | 3.18% | 2.73% | 2.93% | 2.83% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VXUS and DBC have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DBC has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to VXUS (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs DBC's -76.36%.
On 10-year performance, DBC leads with 9.54% vs 9.44% for VXUS. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VXUS has been the lower-risk option at 5.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, DBC has performed better with a 9.54% return vs 9.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.
VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 2.53% for DBC.
VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while DBC is Commodities. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US 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: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.85% for DBC.
DBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.62), 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.
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