DBC vs VTI
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DBC or VTI?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DBC led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DBC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 62 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +47.07%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +51.69%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.79% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.45%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.4% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,637Best | $17,908 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 3, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 3, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.6 years).
DBC vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 20.6 years both funds cover.
DBC vs VTI Performance
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DBC returned +51.69% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, DBC is up 47.07% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, DBC compounded at +13.79% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.45% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.45% annualized vs +2.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DBC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.6% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -76.4% for DBC and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBC charges 0.84% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $3 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBC currently yields 2.38% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in DBC and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 98.8% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in DBC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 62 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DBC and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DBC or VTI?
DBC has an expense ratio of 0.84% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBC or VTI?
Over the past year DBC returned +51.69% vs +16.08% for VTI, so DBC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), DBC annualized +2.60% vs +9.45% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBC or VTI?
DBC has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DBC -76.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both DBC and VTI?
DBC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBC or VTI?
DBC yields 2.38% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DBC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DBC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DBC led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.