ZFEB vs. DBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZFEB (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February) and DBE (Invesco DB Energy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ZFEB is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while DBE is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the DBIQ Optimum Yield Energy Index. ZFEB is actively managed, while DBE is passively managed. Over the past year, ZFEB returned 7.80% vs 84.41% for DBE. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. ZFEB charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for DBE.

Performance

ZFEB vs. DBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February (ZFEB) 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, ZFEB achieves a 2.36% return, which is significantly lower than DBE's 83.68% return.

ZFEB

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 2.36%
• 6M: 3.03%
• 1Y: 7.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

ZFEB vs. DBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZFEB Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February	2.36%	6.10%
DBE Invesco DB Energy Fund	83.68%	-5.63%

Correlation

The correlation between ZFEB and DBE is -0.28, 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	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2025	-0.14

The correlation between ZFEB and DBE shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to -0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ZFEB vs. DBE — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZFEB

ZFEB Risk / Return Rank: 94
ZFEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ZFEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ZFEB Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ZFEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ZFEB Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

ZFEB vs. DBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February (ZFEB) 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.

	ZFEB	DBE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.55	2.43	+1.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.61	2.96	+2.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.79	1.40	+0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.81	5.89	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	28.36	11.53	+16.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZFEB vs. DBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZFEB Sharpe Ratio is 3.55, which is higher than the DBE Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZFEB 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

	ZFEB	DBE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55	2.43	+1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.67	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.43	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.24	0.09	+2.14

Drawdowns

ZFEB vs. DBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZFEB drawdown since its inception was -3.00%, smaller than the maximum DBE drawdown of -86.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZFEB and DBE.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZFEB	DBE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-86.69%	+83.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-14.41%	+13.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.89%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.74%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-60.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-30.27%	+30.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-57.31%	+56.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	7.35%	-7.07%

Volatility

ZFEB vs. DBE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February (ZFEB) is 0.38%, while Invesco DB Energy Fund (DBE) has a volatility of 12.95%. This indicates that ZFEB 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

	ZFEB	DBE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.38%	12.95%	-12.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.45%	30.86%	-29.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21%	34.97%	-32.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.88%	29.39%	-26.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.88%	28.33%	-25.45%

ZFEB vs. DBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZFEB has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than DBE's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZFEB vs. DBE - Dividend Comparison

ZFEB 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%
ZFEB Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr February	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 ZFEB and DBE in my portfolio?

ZFEB and DBE have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZFEB or DBE?

DBE has higher volatility (12.95%) compared to ZFEB (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZFEB dropped -3.00% vs DBE's -86.69%.

Which ETF is better, ZFEB or DBE?

On 1-year performance, DBE leads with 84.41% vs 7.80% for ZFEB. On fees, DBE is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, ZFEB has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZFEB or DBE?

Over the 1-year period, DBE has performed better with a 84.41% return vs 7.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZFEB or DBE?

DBE is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ZFEB.

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

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

What is the main difference between ZFEB and DBE?

ZFEB is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DBE is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ZFEB and 0.78% for DBE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZFEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.55 vs 2.43), 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.