DBO vs QQQ
Invesco DB Oil Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DBO or QQQ?
Energy against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DBO led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ 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 | DBO | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $268M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.95% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 6 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +105.75%Best | +17.95% |
| 1Y Return | +90.26%Best | +21.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.72% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.11%Best | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.6% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -90.2% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,103Best | $20,324 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 5, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.7 years).
DBO vs QQQ 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
DBO vs QQQ Performance
Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DBO returned +90.26% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, DBO is up 105.75% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, DBO compounded at +14.72% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +16.11% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.46% annualized vs +0.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DBO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 18.8% for QQQ. 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 -90.2% for DBO and -53.5% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBO charges 0.75% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $18 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBO currently yields 1.95% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in DBO and 102 in QQQ, totalling 108.3% and 99.9% 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 DBO and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 6 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DBO and QQQ 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, DBO or QQQ?
DBO has an expense ratio of 0.75% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBO or QQQ?
Over the past year DBO returned +90.26% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so DBO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DBO annualized +0.98% vs +15.46% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBO or QQQ?
DBO has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: DBO -90.2% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both DBO and QQQ?
DBO and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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, DBO or QQQ?
DBO yields 1.95% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DBO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DBO?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DBO led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.