Relative Intelligence · Banks

How Deutsche Bank (DB) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on DB alone. It places DB (Deutsche Bank AG) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where DB stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: DB's full trading record, from November 1996 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowThe slide is DB's own: it is 67.5% below its high, against 1.3% for the S&P 500. DB has gone against the market, falling 8.6% over the past 3 months while the S&P 500 rose 3.9%. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?The weakness is DB's own: it fell 8.6% over the past 3 months while the banks ETF IXG (iShares Global Financials ETF) fell 0.2%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Its bank peers did not move as one over the past 3 months: JPM (JPMorgan Chase & Co.) fell 0.6%, while BAC (Bank of America) fell 15.8%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsOver the past year, DB fell 3.1% while the S&P 500 rose 15.8%. Even so, the past 3 years (ahead of 90% of the stocks worth at least $300 million) have been far stronger than the record over 10 years (ahead of 54% of them). By year ↓
- Long termDB turned $10,000 into $26,500 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. On the flip side, the past 5 years have been the better stretch: DB rose 171% against 81.7% for the S&P 500, after trailing over the decade. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashAcross seven sell-offs, DB has typically fallen 2.2 times as far as the S&P 500. In the 2022 bear market, DB fell harder than most of its bank peers, including JPM (JPMorgan Chase & Co.), BAC and HSBC. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationDB is some diversification, but not a hedge: a correlation of 0.48 with the S&P 500 over 5 years and 0.49 with the total US market, more closely than 70% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Over 10 years, DB's beta versus the S&P 500 was 1.21: in the S&P 500's rising months it gained 1.0 times as much as the index, and in falling months it lost 1.2 times as much. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Nearby categories and themes
- MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, banks) and MFG (Mizuho Financial Group, banks) earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years. MUFG returned 33.2% a year at 29.4% volatility, against 22.1% a year at 37.4%.
- Whole market
- 79 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them LLY (Eli Lilly and Company), XOM (Exxonmobil) and ABBV (AbbVie).
How much would $10,000 in DB have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in DB over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of DB over the same span and DB's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
- $10,000 invested in DB at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $9,567 by September 2026, less than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- All eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of DB, and RY finished highest, at $442,765.
Choose a period
From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 989 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of DB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- RY$442,765+4,328% total · +14.0% a year
- TD$422,896+4,129% total · +13.8% a year
- JPM$189,407+1,794% total · +10.7% a year
- MS$148,562+1,386% total · +9.8% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
- BBVA$107,161+972% total · +8.5% a year
- SAN$81,349+713% total · +7.5% a year
- ING$45,632+356% total · +5.4% a year
- C$11,853+18.5% total · +0.6% a year
- DB$9,567−4.3% total · −0.2% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 294 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of DB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- BBVA$57,750+478% total · +42.0% a year
- IBKR$56,308+463% total · +41.3% a year
- HSBC$51,297+413% total · +38.7% a year
- SAN$45,493+355% total · +35.4% a year
- NWG$38,050+281% total · +30.6% a year
- ING$35,607+256% total · +28.9% a year
- UBS$34,575+246% total · +28.2% a year
- DB$32,657+227% total · +26.7% a year
- JPM$22,905+129% total · +18.0% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
DB at a glance
This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.
- DB is still 67.5% below its all-time high.
- DB's deepest decline since it began trading in 1996 was 95.1%, from May 2007 to March 2020. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.
- Over 29 full calendar years, DB's best was 2025, when it returned 132%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 65.5%. It lost money in 13 of those years.
The company
- Market value
- $60B
- Industry
- Banks - Regional
- Price history from
- November 1996
Returns
- Past 1 year
- −3.1%total return
- Past 3 years
- +244%+50.9% a year
- Past 5 years
- +171%+22.1% a year
- Past 10 years
- +165%+10.2% a year
- Best calendar year
- +132%2025
- Worst calendar year
- −65.5%2008
- Losing years
- 13 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 37.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.72return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −95.1%May 2007 to Mar 2020
- From its all-time high
- −67.5%below the peak
DB against the whole market
Where DB ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does DB rank among all stocks?
This section ranks DB on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how DB stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- DB's 3-year return ranks in the top 10% of the 3,017 stocks worth at least $300 million with 3 years of history.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | DB | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | −3.1% | 2,111 of 3,287 | bottom 37% |
| 3-year return | +244% | 305 of 3,017 | top 10% |
| 5-year return | +171% | 381 of 2,893 | top 13% |
| 10-year return | +165% | 1,010 of 2,202 | top 46% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 37.4% | 1,298 of 2,893 | top 45% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.72 | 417 of 2,893 | top 14% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −72.7% | 1,378 of 2,187 | bottom 38% |
What has beaten DB on both return and risk?
Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). DB sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than DB with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 77 stocks and two ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than DB over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 2% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half DB's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 34% less than DB's 37.4%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.72 for DB. MPC earned the most, 51.2% a year, while still swinging less than DB (33.4% against 37.4%).
- Among DB's popular alternatives, HSBC, BBVA and IBKR are in the region. HSBC earned 33.1% a year against 22.1% a year for DB, at 25.9% volatility, 31% less than DB's 37.4%.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to DB; faint dots are 63 more of the 79 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than DB?
Investments that beat DB over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among DB's popular alternatives, HSBC, IBKR and UBS earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years. HSBC returned 33.1% a year at 25.9% volatility, against 22.1% a year at 37.4%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, MUFG (banks) and MFG (banks) earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years. MUFG returned 33.2% a year at 29.4% volatility, against 22.1% a year at 37.4%.
- Across the whole market, 79 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them LLY, XOM and ABBV.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat DB over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks DB's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than DB follows the table.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than DB's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× DB's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than DB's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with DB?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +22.1% | 37.4% | 0.72 | −72.7% | +165% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.48 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against DB. 15 of 20 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +319% | 0.53 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +35.4% | 35.4% | 1.04 | −55.1% | +935% | 0.37 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +25.4% | 30.4% | 0.90 | −59.8% | +374% | 0.62 | — | ||
NWGNatWest Group plc · Banks | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +27.7% | 34.1% | 0.89 | −67.4% | +495% | 0.57 | — | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +38.7% | 33.3% | 1.16 | −69.6% | +542% | 0.73 | — | ||
| On the frontierSmaller losses in recent crashes | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.56 | — | ||
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Banks and the categories next to it (Regional Banks, Capital Markets, Payment Processing, Asset Management), plus DB's specific themes. 33 of 121 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.2% | 29.4% | 1.13 | −54.9% | +483% | 0.42 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.37 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +474% | 0.35 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +26.3% | 33.8% | 0.86 | −62.1% | +190% | 0.39 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +22.7% | 24.4% | 0.97 | −50.5% | +341% | 0.65 | — | ||
SNEXStoneX Group Inc. · Capital Markets | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes | +33.0% | 37.3% | 0.96 | −48.7% | +670% | 0.20 | — | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 830 of 3,492 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.18 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | 0.04 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.16 | — | ||
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.28 | 0.48% | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.10 | — | ||
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.32 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +32.0% | 40.7% | 0.89 | −55.3% | +1,017% | 0.45 | — | ||
EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +29.5% | 24.9% | 1.17 | −51.0% | +275% | 0.54 | 0.59% | |
What these numbers mean for DB
- Annual return
- DB returned 22.1% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $27,100. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- DB's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.4%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, DB's return lands within 37.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
- Sharpe ratio
- DB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so DB earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
- Worst decline
- DB's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 72.7%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 72.7% fall takes a 266% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, DB's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.48 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against DB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a DB holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 79 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than DB with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. Best first; funds that hold the same thing are listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with DB | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +42.1% | 24.7% | 1.55 | −46.1% | +349% | 0.18 | — | |
| 2 | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | 0.04 | — | |
| 3 | Whole market | +26.1% | 23.4% | 1.11 | −45.1% | +603% | 0.16 | — | |
| 4 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.28 | 0.48% |
| 5 | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.10 | — | |
| 6 | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | 0.33 | — | |
| 7 | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.37 | — | |
| 8 | Whole market | +26.3% | 24.9% | 1.07 | −41.6% | +654% | 0.23 | — | |
| 9 | ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +39.8% | 34.6% | 1.15 | −35.4% | +765% | 0.02 | — |
| 10 | EMEEMCOR Group, Inc. · Engineering & Construction | Whole market | +43.0% | 35.3% | 1.20 | −48.0% | +1,202% | 0.25 | — |
| 11 | Same or nearby category | +33.2% | 29.4% | 1.13 | −54.9% | +483% | 0.42 | — | |
| 12 | RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +24.8% | 28.1% | 0.93 | −40.8% | +626% | 0.17 | — |
| 13 | MLIMueller Industries, Inc. · Metal Fabrication | Whole market | +38.9% | 33.4% | 1.16 | −53.0% | +800% | 0.10 | — |
| 14 | Same or nearby category | +33.6% | 30.6% | 1.10 | −45.7% | +345% | 0.37 | — | |
| 15 | Same or nearby category | +33.7% | 29.4% | 1.14 | −47.6% | +474% | 0.35 | — | |
| 16 | Popular alternative | +33.1% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | +319% | 0.53 | — | |
| 17 | ALSNAllison Transmission Holdings, Inc. · Auto Parts | Whole market | +27.3% | 29.9% | 0.96 | −48.7% | +367% | 0.31 | — |
| 18 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | -0.08 | — |
| 19 | Same or nearby category | +26.3% | 33.8% | 0.86 | −62.1% | +190% | 0.39 | — | |
| 20 | Popular alternative | +35.4% | 35.4% | 1.04 | −55.1% | +935% | 0.37 | — | |
| 21 | BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks | Same or nearby category | +30.8% | 30.3% | 1.04 | −59.2% | +298% | 0.45 | — |
| 22 | Whole market | +27.1% | 26.5% | 1.04 | −61.0% | +214% | 0.35 | — | |
| 23 | Popular alternative | +25.4% | 30.4% | 0.90 | −59.8% | +374% | 0.62 | — | |
| 24 | Same or nearby category | +25.3% | 34.4% | 0.83 | −64.1% | +390% | 0.52 | — | |
| 25 | NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities | Whole market | +32.0% | 28.5% | 1.12 | −35.3% | +394% | 0.01 | — |
| 26 | BCHBanco de Chile · Banks | Same or nearby category | +25.2% | 28.2% | 0.94 | −58.4% | +180% | 0.40 | — |
| 27 | WFWoori Financial Group Inc. · Banks | Same or nearby category | +26.3% | 31.6% | 0.90 | −67.2% | +282% | 0.52 | — |
| 28 | Whole market | +26.0% | 23.8% | 1.09 | −63.3% | +379% | 0.34 | — | |
| 29 | Whole market | +33.2% | 32.9% | 1.04 | −64.2% | +430% | 0.37 | — | |
| 30 | Whole market | +27.4% | 28.8% | 0.99 | −54.7% | +789% | 0.41 | — | |
| 31 | EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International | Whole market | +29.5% | 24.9% | 1.17 | −51.0% | +275% | 0.54 | 0.59% |
| 32 | Whole market | +25.6% | 26.2% | 1.00 | −64.1% | +264% | 0.39 | — | |
| 33 | Whole market | +23.4% | 30.2% | 0.85 | −57.5% | +616% | -0.09 | — | |
| 34 | MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +36.6% | 32.0% | 1.14 | −63.7% | +595% | 0.26 | — |
| 35 | Whole market | +31.1% | 31.9% | 1.01 | −43.4% | +936% | 0.40 | — | |
| 36 | AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Distribution | Whole market | +28.5% | 30.3% | 0.98 | −59.3% | +742% | 0.27 | — |
| 37 | Whole market | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.19 | — | |
| 38 | Whole market | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.43 | — | |
| 39 | UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corporation · Biotechnology | Whole market | +23.6% | 35.1% | 0.78 | −55.6% | +390% | 0.14 | — |
| 40 | NWGNatWest Group plc · Banks | Popular alternative | +27.7% | 34.1% | 0.89 | −67.4% | +495% | 0.57 | — |
| 41 | VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management | Same or nearby category | +28.1% | 35.0% | 0.89 | −45.2% | — | 0.48 | — |
| 42 | IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs | Whole market | +24.6% | 30.3% | 0.88 | −39.0% | +470% | 0.17 | — |
| 43 | CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +29.9% | 29.3% | 1.04 | −36.1% | +537% | 0.19 | — |
| 44 | FSSFederal Signal Corporation · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +23.3% | 31.7% | 0.82 | −33.0% | +882% | 0.27 | — |
| 45 | Whole market | +36.0% | 31.0% | 1.15 | −80.9% | +139% | 0.58 | — | |
| 46 | ESEESCO Technologies Inc. · Electronic Instruments | Whole market | +24.2% | 31.1% | 0.85 | −46.0% | +473% | 0.22 | — |
| 47 | Whole market | +33.1% | 32.5% | 1.05 | −73.5% | +295% | 0.25 | — | |
| 48 | Whole market | +41.8% | 31.7% | 1.27 | −90.8% | +829% | 0.25 | — | |
| 49 | Whole market | +26.5% | 32.5% | 0.89 | −77.5% | +433% | 0.39 | — | |
| 50 | Whole market | +24.6% | 24.0% | 1.04 | −68.1% | +288% | 0.35 | — | |
| 51 | Whole market | +34.3% | 32.0% | 1.09 | −77.1% | +430% | 0.31 | — | |
| 52 | TSTenaris S.A. · Oilfield Services | Whole market | +24.3% | 33.3% | 0.82 | −75.1% | +181% | 0.36 | — |
| 53 | UNMUnum Group · Life Insurance | Whole market | +30.6% | 29.3% | 1.06 | −81.0% | +256% | 0.25 | — |
| 54 | TKOTKO Group Holdings, Inc. · Entertainment | Whole market | +26.3% | 32.7% | 0.88 | −69.1% | +941% | 0.26 | — |
| 55 | Popular alternative | +38.7% | 33.3% | 1.16 | −69.6% | +542% | 0.73 | — | |
| 56 | RRyder System, Inc. · Freight & Logistics | Whole market | +25.1% | 32.6% | 0.85 | −72.3% | +407% | 0.32 | — |
| 57 | Popular alternative | +31.7% | 33.9% | 0.99 | −73.8% | +332% | 0.72 | — | |
| 58 | CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks | Same or nearby category | +32.9% | 32.9% | 1.03 | −70.4% | +345% | 0.51 | — |
| 59 | Popular alternative | +24.7% | 31.1% | 0.87 | −74.4% | +339% | 0.76 | — | |
| 60 | CWCurtiss-Wright Corporation · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +30.8% | 28.7% | 1.08 | −48.7% | +512% | 0.22 | — |
| 61 | WTWisdomTree, Inc. · Asset Management | Whole market | +31.4% | 32.8% | 1.00 | −84.0% | +174% | 0.32 | — |
| 62 | ARLPAlliance Resource Partners, L.P. · Coal | Whole market | +29.4% | 31.6% | 0.98 | −85.3% | +173% | 0.12 | — |
| 63 | WWDWoodward, Inc. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +23.8% | 32.3% | 0.82 | −60.6% | +488% | 0.31 | — |
| 64 | DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +24.5% | 25.2% | 1.00 | −23.6% | — | 0.29 | — |
| 65 | BLXBladex, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +31.4% | 25.9% | 1.19 | −68.5% | +290% | 0.43 | — |
| 66 | DCODucommun Incorporated · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +27.5% | 34.5% | 0.88 | −70.8% | +706% | 0.29 | — |
| 67 | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. · Financial - Credit Services | Whole market | +33.2% | 35.4% | 0.99 | −76.6% | +202% | 0.16 | — |
| 68 | NRPNatural Resource Partners L.P. · Coal | Whole market | +37.4% | 33.9% | 1.11 | −78.8% | +632% | 0.13 | — |
| 69 | LAURLaureate Education, Inc. · Education Services | Whole market | +37.5% | 32.8% | 1.14 | −64.5% | — | 0.37 | — |
| 70 | GLPGlobal Partners LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +25.3% | 35.5% | 0.82 | −62.5% | +662% | 0.56 | — |
| 71 | Whole market | +47.3% | 32.5% | 1.36 | −68.9% | +1,028% | 0.31 | — | |
| 72 | NBNNortheast Bank · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +28.8% | 33.3% | 0.93 | −70.2% | +1,064% | 0.33 | — |
| 73 | ESQEsquire Financial Holdings, Inc. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +31.7% | 31.7% | 1.03 | −56.5% | — | 0.22 | — |
| 74 | IGICInternational General Insurance Holdings Ltd. · Insurance - Diversified | Whole market | +30.8% | 30.9% | 1.03 | −50.6% | — | 0.04 | — |
| 75 | AMALAmalgamated Financial Corp. · Banks - Regional | Whole market | +24.7% | 33.4% | 0.83 | −62.9% | — | 0.27 | — |
| 76 | PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +27.0% | 25.6% | 1.06 | −87.9% | +64.0% | 0.41 | — |
| 77 | WESWestern Midstream Partners, LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +23.5% | 27.6% | 0.91 | −91.9% | +128% | 0.46 | — |
| 78 | PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +26.8% | 26.1% | 1.05 | −88.0% | +56.3% | 0.40 | — |
| 79 | GVAGranite Construction Incorporated · Engineering & Construction | Whole market | +23.8% | 30.6% | 0.85 | −84.7% | +186% | 0.50 | — |
DB against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against DB, compared period by period and year by year.
How do DB's risk and return compare with its alternatives?
This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at DB, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Seven of the 20 popular alternatives, led by BBVA, IBKR and HSBC, were both more rewarding and calmer than DB over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, DB returned 22.1% a year, more than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (37.4% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than DB with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. | +38.7% | 33.3% |
| IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. | +35.4% | 35.4% |
| HSBC HSBC Holdings plc | +33.1% | 25.9% |
| SAN Banco Santander, S.A. | +31.6% | 33.9% |
| NWG NatWest Group plc | +27.7% | 34.1% |
| UBS UBS Group AG | +25.4% | 30.4% |
| ING ING Groep N.V. | +24.7% | 31.1% |
| DB This pageDeutsche Bank AG | +22.1% | 37.4% |
| LYG Lloyds Banking Group plc | +20.3% | 32.1% |
| GS The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | +19.6% | 28.6% |
| BCS Barclays PLC | +18.5% | 34.1% |
| JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. | +17.3% | 24.3% |
| RY Royal Bank of Canada | +17.3% | 18.2% |
| MS Morgan Stanley | +16.0% | 28.8% |
| TD The Toronto-Dominion Bank | +15.8% | 20.0% |
| C Citigroup Inc. | +15.1% | 29.4% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | +7.1% | 27.1% |
| KKR KKR & Co. Inc. | +5.7% | 39.8% |
| BAC Bank of America Corporation | +4.0% | 26.6% |
| SCHW The Charles Schwab Corporation | +3.6% | 31.9% |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | +0.4% | 39.8% |
Has DB consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares DB with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than DB helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Seven of the 20 popular alternatives, led by BBVA, NWG and SAN, outperformed DB in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- BBVA, NWG and SAN outperformed DB in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- HSBC, BBVA and IBKR earned more for the risk they took than DB (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than DB over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| DB Deutsche Bank AG (this page) | — | −17.1% | −8.6% | −1.6% | −17.0% | −3.1% | +244% | +171% | +165% | 37.4% | 0.72 | −72.7% | — | $60B | — |
| BBVA QualifiedBanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −10.4% | +3.1% | +11.7% | +11.3% | +35.2% | +281% | +413% | +542% | 33.3% | 1.16 | −69.6% | — | $142B | — |
| NWG QualifiedNatWest Group plc | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −9.5% | −1.4% | +5.5% | −2.1% | +20.7% | +273% | +239% | +495% | 34.1% | 0.89 | −67.4% | — | $35B | — |
| SAN QualifiedBanco Santander, S.A. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −10.2% | −1.4% | +4.5% | +9.8% | +35.9% | +305% | +295% | +332% | 33.9% | 0.99 | −73.8% | — | $194B | — |
| IBKR QualifiedInteractive Brokers Group, Inc. | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −11.1% | −9.5% | +2.2% | +23.7% | +24.4% | +320% | +355% | +935% | 35.4% | 1.04 | −55.1% | — | $146B | — |
| ING QualifiedING Groep N.V. | 5/5 short2/3 long | −10.7% | +2.4% | +14.0% | +18.9% | +42.5% | +209% | +201% | +339% | 31.1% | 0.87 | −74.4% | — | $94B | — |
| HSBC QualifiedHSBC Holdings plc | 5/5 short2/3 long | −10.1% | −5.9% | +2.3% | +19.8% | +47.7% | +201% | +318% | +319% | 25.9% | 1.24 | −62.3% | — | $324B | — |
| UBS QualifiedUBS Group AG | 4/5 short2/3 long | −7.5% | −8.3% | +10.6% | +2.9% | +26.3% | +116% | +210% | +374% | 30.4% | 0.90 | −59.8% | — | $145B | — |
| JPM Banks - DiversifiedJPMorgan Chase & Co. | 5/5 short1/3 long | −4.3% | −0.6% | +6.8% | +5.0% | +13.0% | +150% | +122% | +537% | 24.3% | 0.78 | −43.6% | — | $891B | — |
| RY Banks - DiversifiedRoyal Bank of Canada | 5/5 short1/3 long | −3.5% | −4.8% | +12.0% | +18.9% | +39.2% | +173% | +122% | +352% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | — | $276B | — |
| BLK Asset ManagementBlackRock, Inc. | 5/5 short1/3 long | +3.5% | +7.6% | +8.8% | +5.7% | −0.6% | +96.3% | +41.1% | +313% | 27.1% | 0.39 | −43.9% | — | $175B | — |
| TD Banks - DiversifiedThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 5/5 short1/3 long | −0.9% | +2.1% | +16.3% | +33.1% | +57.5% | +141% | +109% | +310% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | — | $206B | — |
| C Banks - DiversifiedCitigroup Inc. | 4/5 short1/3 long | −9.3% | −4.3% | −7.0% | +4.8% | +26.0% | +238% | +102% | +234% | 29.4% | 0.63 | −56.5% | — | $206B | — |
| LYG Banks - RegionalLloyds Banking Group plc | 4/5 short1/3 long | −8.1% | −6.7% | −2.5% | +1.7% | +22.4% | +207% | +152% | +213% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −66.5% | — | $80B | — |
| MS Financial - Capital MarketsMorgan Stanley | 3/5 short1/3 long | −12.5% | −14.0% | −4.4% | +0.8% | +13.9% | +170% | +110% | +627% | 28.8% | 0.66 | −51.3% | — | $285B | — |
| GS Financial - Capital MarketsThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 3/5 short1/3 long | −7.8% | −15.7% | −5.2% | −1.8% | +18.2% | +215% | +145% | +521% | 28.6% | 0.77 | −48.8% | — | $258B | — |
| BAC Banks - DiversifiedBank of America Corporation | 3/5 short1/3 long | −12.6% | −15.8% | −5.2% | −8.0% | −0.6% | +107% | +21.6% | +282% | 26.6% | 0.28 | −49.0% | — | $354B | — |
| BCS Banks - DiversifiedBarclays PLC | 3/5 short1/3 long | −11.7% | −17.1% | −6.2% | −13.3% | +15.1% | +242% | +134% | +238% | 34.1% | 0.67 | −66.0% | — | $75B | — |
| KKR Asset ManagementKKR & Co. Inc. | 2/5 short1/3 long | −11.5% | −7.8% | −13.8% | −30.4% | −25.2% | +65.7% | +31.8% | +653% | 39.8% | 0.34 | −49.4% | — | $80B | — |
| SCHW Financial - Capital MarketsThe Charles Schwab Corporation | 2/5 short1/3 long | −15.0% | −11.1% | −1.8% | −9.6% | −3.1% | +86.2% | +19.1% | +221% | 31.9% | 0.27 | −51.1% | — | $157B | — |
| BX Asset ManagementBlackstone Inc. | 1/5 short1/3 long | −12.7% | −9.8% | −12.8% | −28.3% | −28.4% | +28.6% | +2.1% | +628% | 39.8% | 0.21 | −49.3% | — | $127B | — |
How did DB do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where DB ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with DB and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, DB finished in the top quarter in three of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in 12. In 2025, it ranked 3 of 21.
- DB finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 12 of its 29 full calendar years, and ahead of it in each of the last two.
- Among its popular alternatives, GS came out ahead of DB most often, in 19 of the 26 years both traded.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of DB; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places DB among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of DB | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB This pageDeutsche Bank AG | — | +133% | +29.4% | +21.4% | −5.9% | +14.7% | +40.1% | −2.9% | −56.7% | +6.4% | −25.0% | −17.7% | −36.4% | +10.9% | +19.7% | −26.1% | −20.1% | +75.4% | −65.5% | −0.6% | +42.0% | +12.3% | +9.8% | +83.6% | −34.3% | −22.1% | 0.0% | +58.2% | −16.7% | +54.6% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 3 of 29 | 3 of 21 | 12 of 21 | 9 of 21 | 7 of 21 | 19 of 21 | 3 of 21 | 20 of 21 | 21 of 21 | 20 of 21 | 19 of 21 | 16 of 21 | 21 of 21 | 19 of 21 | 17 of 21 | 11 of 21 | 19 of 21 | 10 of 21 | 12 of 21 | 8 of 17 | 6 of 17 | 8 of 17 | 12 of 17 | 1 of 17 | 17 of 17 | 13 of 16 | 12 of 15 | 4 of 12 | 12 of 12 | 7 of 13 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 17 of 29 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% | +15.1% | +26.4% | −36.8% | +5.1% | +15.9% | +4.8% | +10.7% | +28.2% | −21.6% | −11.7% | −9.8% | +20.4% | +28.7% | +33.5% |
| BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. | 19 of 29 | +154% | +14.2% | +62.5% | +10.0% | +22.2% | −6.4% | +10.9% | −35.0% | +31.3% | −1.5% | −19.3% | −20.6% | +39.6% | +18.2% | −10.8% | −39.7% | +53.1% | −45.6% | +4.6% | +39.4% | +4.1% | +32.9% | +47.9% | −19.3% | −13.1% | +8.9% | −9.5% | +51.7% | +85.6% |
| NWG NatWest Group plc | 9 of 18 | +81.0% | +92.5% | −4.8% | +8.6% | +39.4% | −24.9% | +29.1% | −26.1% | +38.0% | −37.6% | −26.8% | +6.9% | +5.0% | +69.3% | −48.3% | +31.2% | −38.1% | −90.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SAN Banco Santander, S.A. | 17 of 29 | +165% | +14.9% | +46.4% | −6.8% | +10.2% | −19.6% | −2.2% | −28.5% | +33.3% | +12.3% | −37.9% | −0.4% | +27.4% | +22.8% | −20.2% | −30.2% | +91.8% | −52.3% | +20.2% | +47.1% | +10.5% | +6.8% | +77.6% | −11.3% | −19.8% | −7.6% | +20.1% | +23.7% | +53.6% |
| IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. | 11 of 18 | +46.3% | +114% | +15.2% | −8.3% | +31.2% | +31.7% | −14.0% | −7.1% | +62.8% | −15.4% | +51.0% | +21.7% | +82.8% | +1.0% | −14.5% | +11.1% | −0.9% | −44.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ING ING Groep N.V. | 17 of 29 | +91.3% | +12.2% | +32.0% | −4.4% | +55.4% | −21.6% | +20.6% | −39.4% | +36.7% | +11.1% | +6.4% | −7.4% | +47.6% | +32.5% | −26.8% | −0.2% | −11.7% | −69.6% | −8.2% | +31.9% | +20.8% | +36.1% | +48.7% | −31.3% | −34.4% | +35.1% | +0.4% | +49.9% | +25.1% |
| HSBC HSBC Holdings plc | 18 of 27 | +67.9% | +34.5% | +39.3% | +7.8% | +20.8% | −31.7% | +1.5% | −16.1% | +35.9% | +9.9% | −11.5% | −10.2% | +8.5% | +45.9% | −22.2% | −7.5% | +22.2% | −38.0% | −4.0% | +18.9% | −1.5% | +12.6% | +52.3% | −5.2% | −15.3% | +6.5% | — | — | +15.8% |
| UBS UBS Group AG | 16 of 25 | +57.6% | +0.7% | +69.8% | +7.4% | +29.4% | +19.5% | +7.1% | −29.9% | +17.4% | −14.4% | +18.1% | −10.2% | +23.3% | +34.3% | −28.2% | +6.2% | +8.5% | −68.9% | −21.5% | +32.5% | +18.2% | +27.9% | +50.4% | +1.7% | −8.0% | — | — | — | — |
| JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 17 of 29 | +37.3% | +44.3% | +30.6% | −12.6% | +27.8% | −5.5% | +47.3% | −6.6% | +26.8% | +34.5% | +8.4% | +9.9% | +36.7% | +36.2% | −19.9% | +2.3% | +34.4% | −25.1% | −6.9% | +25.7% | +5.7% | +10.0% | +60.5% | −30.7% | −17.4% | −10.1% | +11.7% | +32.9% | +25.5% |
| RY Royal Bank of Canada | 19 of 29 | +46.3% | +23.8% | +12.2% | −8.0% | +34.1% | +8.4% | +20.2% | −12.9% | +23.9% | +31.8% | −19.3% | +6.7% | +16.0% | +23.3% | +1.2% | +1.4% | +89.3% | −39.4% | +10.7% | +26.0% | +50.7% | +15.9% | +33.6% | +15.8% | −0.9% | +58.5% | −9.5% | −3.5% | +54.8% |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | 18 of 26 | +6.6% | +29.3% | +17.9% | −20.4% | +29.4% | +47.2% | +31.9% | −21.6% | +38.2% | +14.6% | −2.4% | +15.7% | +57.0% | +19.8% | −3.6% | −15.9% | +76.6% | −37.0% | +45.1% | +41.8% | +42.4% | +47.6% | +35.9% | −5.5% | −0.7% | +144% | — | — | — |
| TD The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 19 of 29 | +85.3% | −13.4% | +4.5% | −12.2% | +41.3% | +5.6% | +17.5% | −12.1% | +22.9% | +30.9% | −14.9% | +5.0% | +16.1% | +16.8% | +4.1% | +22.7% | +85.4% | −46.8% | +20.4% | +16.1% | +30.7% | +29.7% | +61.4% | −11.7% | −7.2% | +11.2% | +58.4% | −2.9% | +52.7% |
| C Citigroup Inc. | 16 of 29 | +70.4% | +41.9% | +19.0% | −22.1% | +0.9% | −19.7% | +57.9% | −28.5% | +27.0% | +15.9% | −4.1% | +3.9% | +31.8% | +50.5% | −44.3% | +42.9% | −50.6% | −75.9% | −44.8% | +19.6% | +4.6% | +2.8% | +41.6% | −20.4% | +0.1% | +23.6% | +70.2% | −6.8% | +79.9% |
| LYG Lloyds Banking Group plc | 11 of 24 | +104% | +20.2% | +14.5% | −9.7% | +34.6% | −36.5% | +36.9% | −28.4% | +26.8% | −25.9% | −4.4% | −12.7% | +66.1% | +104% | −61.7% | +25.4% | −27.5% | −77.5% | −11.6% | +42.9% | −1.5% | +22.5% | +25.3% | −33.0% | — | — | — | — | — |
| MS Morgan Stanley | 18 of 29 | +45.2% | +39.7% | +13.9% | −10.3% | +46.6% | +38.1% | +32.7% | −22.8% | +26.6% | +36.1% | −16.7% | +25.0% | +65.4% | +27.6% | −43.9% | −7.5% | +88.3% | −68.8% | −22.1% | +46.3% | +4.6% | −2.0% | +48.4% | −27.0% | −28.1% | +12.3% | +103% | +21.9% | +80.3% |
| GS The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 19 of 26 | +56.6% | +52.0% | +15.9% | −7.9% | +47.6% | +17.4% | +40.5% | −33.5% | +7.4% | +34.9% | −5.8% | +10.8% | +40.8% | +43.4% | −45.6% | +0.5% | +103% | −60.4% | +8.6% | +57.4% | +23.9% | +6.5% | +46.3% | −26.0% | −12.8% | +14.1% | — | — | — |
| BAC Bank of America Corporation | 16 of 29 | +28.0% | +33.9% | +4.9% | −23.8% | +49.6% | −11.6% | +46.1% | −15.0% | +35.7% | +33.4% | −4.8% | +15.7% | +34.5% | +109% | −58.1% | −11.2% | +7.6% | −63.1% | −18.9% | +20.8% | +2.4% | +21.5% | +20.1% | +14.6% | +42.7% | −4.5% | −14.0% | +1.2% | +27.3% |
| BCS Barclays PLC | 17 of 29 | +96.5% | +76.2% | +6.0% | −21.9% | +31.6% | −12.8% | +31.9% | −29.3% | +0.5% | −12.8% | −11.4% | −14.9% | +16.1% | +61.7% | −31.9% | −4.7% | +80.0% | −73.6% | −27.2% | +44.2% | −4.0% | +31.1% | +55.0% | −23.6% | +7.7% | +16.0% | +30.3% | −16.6% | +62.3% |
| KKR KKR & Co. Inc. | 13 of 18 | −13.3% | +79.6% | +80.5% | −37.0% | +85.8% | +41.1% | +51.5% | −4.3% | +41.8% | +3.4% | −28.0% | +4.0% | +73.8% | +25.6% | −5.3% | +70.4% | +153% | −81.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SCHW The Charles Schwab Corporation | 18 of 29 | +36.6% | +9.2% | −16.0% | +0.1% | +60.2% | +13.6% | +16.4% | −18.4% | +31.1% | +21.0% | +9.9% | +17.2% | +83.3% | +29.8% | −33.1% | −7.8% | +18.1% | −36.1% | +40.0% | +32.8% | +23.5% | +1.7% | +9.5% | −29.5% | −45.4% | +11.4% | +36.3% | +102% | +97.6% |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | 13 of 18 | −7.8% | +35.1% | +82.8% | −40.0% | +107% | +19.8% | +96.3% | +0.1% | +27.4% | −1.5% | −5.0% | +13.9% | +114% | +15.7% | +3.4% | +12.7% | +117% | −67.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How DB has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.
What were DB's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents DB's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1996, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In all five of DB's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: DB fell 95.1% from May 2007 to March 2020, while the S&P 500 rose 106%.
- The slowest recovery came after DB fell 64.9% from January 2001 to October 2002; it did not regain that peak until November 2005, three years later.
Green means DB fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | DB fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −95.1% | +106% | May 2007 | Mar 2020 | 12.8 years | Not yet | — |
| Dot-com bust | −64.9% | −41.6% | Jan 2001 | Oct 2002 | 21 months | Nov 2005 | 3.1 years |
| No named crash | −46.4% | −10.8% | May 1998 | Oct 1998 | 5 months | Dec 1999 | 14 months |
| Dot-com bust | −28.1% | +10.0% | Mar 2000 | Mar 2000 | Under a month | Jul 2000 | 4 months |
| Dot-com bust | −25.1% | −8.6% | Jul 2000 | Oct 2000 | 3 months | Jan 2001 | 3 months |
How did DB do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far DB, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
- DB fell further than the S&P 500 in nine of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when DB fell 54.8% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.
- Among its popular alternatives, BBVA held up best, falling less than DB in nine of the ten crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than DB.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB This pageDeutsche Bank AG | — | −11.6% | −54.2% | −48.6% | −36.3% | −9.3% | −54.8% | −46.8% | 0.0% | −82.7% | −64.9% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 9 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. | 9 of 10 | −10.9% | −39.6% | −47.9% | −22.7% | −5.4% | −41.0% | −32.7% | 0.0% | −75.7% | −55.9% |
| NWG NatWest Group plc | 5 of 8 | −5.2% | −30.4% | −52.6% | −28.1% | −4.9% | −39.8% | −46.5% | −4.3% | — | — |
| SAN Banco Santander, S.A. | 8 of 10 | −11.4% | −41.0% | −48.1% | −19.0% | −6.0% | −44.7% | −33.2% | −0.9% | −76.1% | −58.4% |
| IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. | 7 of 9 | −14.3% | −33.3% | −38.0% | −18.2% | −5.6% | −32.6% | −14.2% | −2.6% | −63.7% | — |
| ING ING Groep N.V. | 5 of 10 | −10.7% | −43.4% | −56.9% | −24.1% | −5.8% | −35.4% | −47.4% | −3.6% | −93.0% | −66.4% |
| HSBC HSBC Holdings plc | 9 of 10 | −7.3% | −31.8% | −20.5% | −13.1% | −4.6% | −30.8% | −25.1% | 0.0% | −73.8% | −41.4% |
| UBS UBS Group AG | 7 of 9 | −9.5% | −32.5% | −42.3% | −28.5% | −8.2% | −36.7% | −39.7% | −0.9% | −87.5% | — |
| JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 8 of 10 | −5.4% | −37.9% | −42.5% | −21.3% | −5.6% | −22.0% | −32.1% | −0.1% | −67.7% | −74.0% |
| RY Royal Bank of Canada | 9 of 10 | −3.8% | −26.0% | −40.0% | −17.1% | −5.7% | −23.1% | −21.8% | 0.0% | −63.1% | −21.6% |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | 9 of 10 | −7.2% | −40.8% | −42.3% | −25.2% | −7.1% | −19.9% | −23.9% | 0.0% | −60.4% | −33.0% |
| TD The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 9 of 10 | −6.7% | −29.0% | −41.0% | −20.9% | −5.5% | −18.1% | −19.6% | 0.0% | −63.4% | −44.1% |
| C Citigroup Inc. | 6 of 10 | −11.7% | −39.2% | −54.8% | −33.1% | −6.7% | −40.3% | −42.6% | −1.0% | −97.7% | −52.7% |
| LYG Lloyds Banking Group plc | 6 of 9 | −7.8% | −40.5% | −53.4% | −23.3% | −4.3% | −34.6% | −41.6% | −4.5% | −94.8% | — |
| MS Morgan Stanley | 5 of 10 | −8.2% | −32.4% | −50.6% | −24.6% | −6.7% | −43.9% | −47.7% | 0.0% | −86.2% | −72.0% |
| GS The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 9 of 10 | −9.7% | −30.5% | −42.8% | −33.3% | −5.3% | −31.2% | −34.3% | 0.0% | −78.8% | −54.7% |
| BAC Bank of America Corporation | 7 of 10 | −12.4% | −38.7% | −47.8% | −26.4% | −6.9% | −37.8% | −45.2% | −0.6% | −93.4% | −36.3% |
| BCS Barclays PLC | 7 of 10 | −10.2% | −48.1% | −57.1% | −22.9% | −4.1% | −50.6% | −44.9% | −4.8% | −93.9% | −38.4% |
| KKR KKR & Co. Inc. | 5 of 9 | −12.6% | −41.7% | −45.5% | −33.5% | −10.2% | −51.3% | −37.8% | −2.2% | −90.1% | — |
| SCHW The Charles Schwab Corporation | 7 of 10 | −31.9% | −36.9% | −41.5% | −26.5% | −8.2% | −37.0% | −28.9% | −5.5% | −56.0% | −83.1% |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | 6 of 9 | −12.3% | −38.5% | −42.6% | −29.1% | −4.2% | −37.7% | −35.6% | −3.5% | −84.9% | — |
How closely does DB move with the S&P 500?
Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares DB with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- 16 of the 20 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than DB's 0.86, led by HSBC, IBKR and BBVA.
- TD took just 80% of the S&P 500's losses, against 118% for DB, while still keeping 89% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, DB captured 102% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 118% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.21. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than DB's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB This pageDeutsche Bank AG | 102% | 118% | 0.86 | 1.21 |
| HSBC HSBC Holdings plc | 79% | 53% | 1.49 | 0.58 |
| IBKR Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. | 128% | 92% | 1.40 | 1.03 |
| BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. | 121% | 97% | 1.25 | 1.11 |
| JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 117% | 103% | 1.14 | 1.09 |
| RY Royal Bank of Canada | 97% | 88% | 1.11 | 0.88 |
| SAN Banco Santander, S.A. | 101% | 92% | 1.10 | 1.02 |
| TD The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 89% | 80% | 1.10 | 0.88 |
| MS Morgan Stanley | 142% | 137% | 1.04 | 1.39 |
| NWG NatWest Group plc | 128% | 124% | 1.02 | 1.13 |
| GS The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 136% | 133% | 1.02 | 1.39 |
| SCHW The Charles Schwab Corporation | 89% | 90% | 0.99 | 0.91 |
| UBS UBS Group AG | 116% | 120% | 0.97 | 1.18 |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | 156% | 170% | 0.92 | 1.48 |
| KKR KKR & Co. Inc. | 171% | 191% | 0.89 | 1.62 |
| ING ING Groep N.V. | 136% | 155% | 0.88 | 1.36 |
| BAC Bank of America Corporation | 127% | 146% | 0.87 | 1.36 |
| BCS Barclays PLC | 113% | 131% | 0.86 | 1.26 |
| LYG Lloyds Banking Group plc | 106% | 130% | 0.82 | 1.20 |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | 127% | 157% | 0.81 | 1.30 |
| C Citigroup Inc. | 131% | 165% | 0.80 | 1.49 |
What diversifies DB?
Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with DB's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing DB with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in DB into DXJ would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 18% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+26.7% for DB alone, +27.8% for the mix).
- Among large ETFs, DXJ, EMLP and SMH have moved largely independently of DB over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.41 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
- MCK made money in eight of the 13 calendar years in which DB lost money.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which DB lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% DB and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2019 | 2018 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2011 | 2010 | 2008 | 2007 | 2002 | 2001 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Deutsche Bank AG (this page) | 1.00 | +171% | 0.72 | −5.9% | −2.9% | −56.7% | −25.0% | −17.7% | −36.4% | −26.1% | −20.1% | −65.5% | −0.6% | −34.3% | −22.1% | −16.7% | 33.4% | +26.7% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.28 | +225% | 1.34 | +6.0% | +18.9% | −19.8% | +1.1% | +7.7% | +8.1% | −16.1% | −1.8% | −20.8% | −7.4% | — | — | — | 27.5% | +27.8% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.41 | +101% | 1.04 | +10.4% | +23.4% | −8.7% | +29.8% | −25.3% | +23.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28.0% | +25.3% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.25 | +323% | 0.97 | −33.5% | +64.5% | −9.1% | +35.6% | −0.3% | +30.2% | +6.8% | +19.0% | −44.7% | +6.0% | −47.0% | −14.6% | — | 29.2% | +30.5% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.22 | +126% | 0.96 | −0.8% | +17.9% | −1.9% | +8.0% | −10.7% | −2.2% | +9.6% | +29.3% | +4.9% | +30.4% | — | — | — | 27.7% | +26.1% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.42 | +136% | 0.93 | −10.4% | +25.9% | −0.9% | +7.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28.7% | +26.6% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.41 | +177% | 0.93 | +64.4% | +11.7% | −18.2% | +28.0% | −21.5% | −8.7% | +2.8% | +21.9% | −39.0% | +36.8% | −14.8% | −18.2% | — | 29.2% | +27.1% |
| EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 0.30 | +153% | 0.89 | −28.9% | +33.4% | −9.9% | +17.7% | −12.9% | +7.0% | −21.8% | +22.8% | −45.3% | +6.4% | −24.4% | +2.1% | — | 28.6% | +26.9% |
| AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF | 0.42 | +111% | 0.89 | +25.5% | +6.0% | −12.6% | +14.9% | −25.7% | +4.8% | +10.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28.4% | +25.9% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2019 | 2018 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2011 | 2010 | 2008 | 2007 | 2002 | 2001 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Deutsche Bank AG (this page) | 1.00 | +171% | 0.72 | −5.9% | −2.9% | −56.7% | −25.0% | −17.7% | −36.4% | −26.1% | −20.1% | −65.5% | −0.6% | −34.3% | −22.1% | −16.7% | 33.4% | +26.7% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.18 | +479% | 1.55 | +54.1% | +18.0% | −24.5% | −17.5% | +12.6% | +23.0% | +8.1% | +21.4% | −39.6% | −9.8% | −8.3% | −2.5% | +51.7% | 28.1% | +30.3% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.23 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +1.3% | −5.7% | −16.3% | +7.4% | −6.0% | +12.9% | −24.4% | +2.8% | −20.5% | −25.7% | −65.1% | −25.6% | — | 31.5% | +44.0% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | 0.15 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +17.0% | +15.1% | +0.8% | +18.3% | +67.7% | −10.4% | −17.0% | +8.7% | −15.2% | +2.1% | −9.4% | +73.7% | −9.5% | 29.4% | +40.0% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.10 | +413% | 1.44 | +51.8% | +26.7% | −28.4% | −28.3% | −4.5% | +29.3% | +11.8% | +13.8% | −40.4% | +29.7% | −27.2% | +4.9% | +46.9% | 27.6% | +29.8% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.19 | +690% | 1.41 | +86.6% | +6.0% | −8.2% | +0.7% | +17.4% | +0.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28.6% | +32.6% |
Common questions
What was DB's worst drawdown?
DB's deepest decline since it began trading in 1996 was 95.1%, from May 2007 to March 2020. It has not yet climbed back to that peak.
What were DB's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, DB's best year was 2025, when it returned 132%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -65.5%.
Is there a better investment than DB?
Among DB's popular alternatives, HSBC, IBKR and UBS earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years. HSBC returned 33.1% a year at 25.9% volatility, against 22.1% a year at 37.4%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, MUFG (banks) and MFG (banks) earned more than DB with less volatility over the past 5 years. MUFG returned 33.2% a year at 29.4% volatility, against 22.1% a year at 37.4%.
Is DB more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. DB's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.4%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, DB's return lands within 37.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.
What is DB's Sharpe ratio?
DB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so DB earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.
How correlated is DB with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, DB's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.48 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against DB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a DB holding.
What are the best alternatives to DB?
Of the 20 popular alternatives we compared, seven outperformed DB in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: BBVA, NWG and SAN.
Did DB outperform the S&P 500?
DB finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 12 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +132%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did DB do in stock market crashes?
DB fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in nine. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when DB fell 54.8% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.
What diversifies DB?
These had a low correlation with DB over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.28), EMLP (correlation 0.41) and SMH (correlation 0.25); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.18), CLS (correlation 0.23) and FIX (correlation 0.15). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than DB's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of DB's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.