ETFdb Logo
  • ETF Database
  • Channels
    • Themes
      • Active ETF
      • Alternatives Channel
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • China Insights
      • Climate Insights
      • Core Strategies
      • Crypto
      • Disruptive Technology
      • Energy Infrastructure
      • ETF Building Blocks
      • ETF Education
      • ETF Investing
      • ETF Strategist
      • Faith-Based Investing
      • Financial Literacy
      • Fixed Income
      • Free Cash Flow
      • Innovative ETFs
      • Invest Beyond Cash
      • Leveraged & Inverse
      • Modern Alpha
      • Portfolio Strategies
      • Tax Efficient Income
    • Asset Class
      • Equity
        • U.S. Equity
        • Int'l Developed
        • Emerging Market Equities
      • Alternatives
        • Gold/Silver/Critical Materials
        • Crypytocurrency
        • Currency
        • Volatility
      • Fixed Income
        • Investment Grade Corporates
        • US Treasuries & TIPS
        • High Yield Corporates
        • Int'l Fixed Income
    • ETF Ecosystem
    • ETFs in Canada
    • Market Outlook
    • Crypto ETF Hub
  • Tools
    • ETF Screener
    • ETF Country Exposure Tool
    • ETF Database Categories
    • Indexes
    • Scenario Analysis
    • Watchlists
    • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison Tool
    • Mutual Fund To ETF Converter
    • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
    • ETF Issuer Fund Flows
  • Research
    • ETF Education
    • Equity Investing
    • Dividend ETFs
    • Leveraged ETFs
    • Inverse ETFs
    • Index Education
    • Index Insights
    • Top ETF Sectors
    • Top ETF Issuers
    • Top ETF Industries
  • Webcasts
  • Themes
    • AI ETFs
    • Blockchain ETFs
    • See all Thematic Investing ETF themes
    • ESG Investing
    • Marijuana ETFs
  • Multimedia
    • ETF 360 Video Series
    • ETF of the Week Podcast
    • Gaining Perspective Podcast
    • ETF Prime Podcast
    • Video
  • Company
    • About VettaFi
    • Get VettaFi’ed
  • PRO
    • Pro Content
    • Pro Tools
    • Advanced
    • FAQ
    • Pricing
    • Free Sign Up
    • Login
  1. Energy ETFs
  2. Screening Energy ETFs: An ETF Database Guide
Energy ETFs
Share

Screening Energy ETFs: An ETF Database Guide

Jared CummansApr 24, 2015
2015-04-24

The ETF universe includes products that target several different types of energy resources, including crude oil, natural gas, Brent crude, heating oil, and gasoline. And in many of these categories, there are multiple options to choose from.

Below, we highlight some useful tools for screening commodity ETFs as well as a few of the most noteworthy products for accessing each type of energy commodity:

The Best Commodity ETF Screening Tools

natural gas flame
  1. ETFdb Screener: This flexible tool can be used to filter through ETFs in any asset class, including commodities. Users can identify ETFs targeting various energy commodities, and further narrow down the search based on expenses, applicable tax rates and forms, and commission free trading availability. ETF Database Pro members can download screener results into an Excel spreadsheet or CSV file [sign up for a free 7-day trial to Pro].
  2. Commodities Database at Commodity HQ: This database covers much more than just energy commodities, and can be a useful tool for basic information on various types of natural resources. The Commodity HQ database includes the vital stats for futures contracts on many energy contracts, and also highlights the available ways to gain exposure to a number of different energy commodities (such as stocks, ETFs, and futures).
  3. Head-To-Head ETF Comparison Tool: This free tool is useful for comparing two ETFs side by side to see which makes the most sense for your investment objectives. The head-to-head comparison tool displays a number of different metrics, including basic information such as expenses and structure and detailed historical performance figures. ETF Database Pro members can see what our team of analysts thinks about each product though access to the Analyst Takes for each ETF.
  4. XTF: This site is home to a boatload of information on all types of ETFs, including those that offer exposure to energy commodities. XTF also maintains a proprietary ranking system that evaluates the structural integrity and investment rankings for each ETF, giving investors additional factors to consider when analyzing potential holdings.
  5. AssetCorrelation.com: When considering exposure to natural resource prices, investors are often interested in determining the correlation to “traditional” asset classes. This is especially true with energy commodities, and especially true in the current environment. Generally speaking, investors considering commodities will be looking for securities that can bring diversification benefits to their portfolios. This free tool allows investors to see how various energy ETFs correlate to one another as well as to broad-based funds such as (SPY A) or (AGG A). Results can be shown for multiple ETFs and over various timeframes.

Below we provide some helpful links for each and every type of energy commodity.


Content continues below advertisement

WTI Crude Oil

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil is one of the most heavily traded commodity contracts in the world; this is the contract that is generally quoted in the financial presses when changes in oil prices are discussed.

There are more than a dozen ETFs linked to crude oil. Using the Excel download from the Crude Oil ETF page on ETFdb.com, we highlight some of the standouts:

  • Commodity Overview: How to invest in WTI Crude Oil at Commodity HQ. WTI ETFs vs. WTI Futures vs. WTI Stocks vs. Physical WTI (n/a).
  • Most Heavily Traded Crude Oil ETF: The United States Oil Fund (USO B) is by far the most heavily traded crude ETF.
  • Leveraged Crude Oil ETFs: Inverse and leveraged crude oil ETFs include (SCO A+) (-2x), (SZO B) (-1x), (DTO A) (-2x), (UCO A) (2x), (DNO A+) (-1x), (FOL B-) (2x), (UWTI B-) (3x), and (DWTI C) (-3x).
  • Research Reports: The USO Analyst Report and Realtime Ratings is available to ETF Database Pro members; see Realtime Ratings for all crude oil ETFs here.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a part of everyday life for just about millions of Americans, and the “market share” of this fuel has increased dramatically in recent years thanks to widespread availability and technological breakthroughs. Unfortunately, it’s been a terrible investment destination; natural gas prices have slumped quite a bit in recent years.

Nevertheless, natural gas ETFs remain popular, and there are a number of products available. Using the Excel download available from the natural gas types page, we highlight some noteworthy ETFs:

  • Commodity Overview: How to invest in Natural Gas at Commodity HQ. Natural Gas ETFs vs. Natural Gas Futures vs. Natural Gas Stocks vs. Physical Natural Gas (n/a).
  • Most Heavily Traded Natural Gas ETF: The United States Natural Gas ETF (UNG B-) is the most popular choice, trading millions of shares each day..
  • Leveraged Natural Gas ETFs: Inverse and leveraged natural gas ETFs include (BOIL B) (2x), (KOLD C+) (-2x), (UGAZ C+) (3x), (DGAZ C) (-3x),
  • Research Reports: The UNG Analyst Report and Realtime Ratings is available to ETF Database Pro members; see Realtime Ratings for all natural gas ETFs here.

Heating Oil

Oil refinery with american flag

Heating oil generally exhibits a strong correlation to energy commodities, but has unique price drivers as well. There is currently only one ETF offering exposure to this fuel, with a relatively moderate base of assets.

  • Commodity Overview: How to invest in Heating Oil at Commodity HQ. Heating Oil ETFs vs. Heating Oil Futures vs. Heating Oil Stocks vs. Physical Heating Oil (n/a).
  • Heating Oil ETF: The United States Heating Oil Fund (UHN B) is the only ETF targeting this corner of the energy market.
  • Research Reports: The UNH Analyst Report and Realtime Ratings is available to ETF Database Pro members.

Brent Oil

Brent crude oil is generally similar to WTI, though there are several differences between these types of fuel.

Be sure to read Brent vs. WTI.

Though WTI has historically been the primary benchmark for crude oil, there are signs that Brent may be stepping to the forefront. In recent months the relationship between Brent and WTI has been volatile, which has created some unique trading opportunities.

  • Commodity Overview: How to invest in Brent Oil at Commodity HQ. Brent Oil ETFs vs. Brent Oil Futures vs. Brent Oil Stocks vs. Physical Brent Oil (n/a).
  • Most Heavily Traded Brent Oil ETF: The United States Brent Oil Fund (BNO A) trades tens of thousands of shares each day.
  • Research Reports: The BNO Analyst Report and Realtime Ratings is available to ETF Database Pro members.

RBOB Gasoline

Oil flare at an oil field

RBOB gasoline obviously exhibits a strong correlation to crude oil, but these two types of fuel do not always move in perfect unison.

RBOB gasoline is much less popular as an investment, but there is an ETF that delivers easy access to this commodity:

  • Commodity Overview: How to invest in RBOB Gasoline at Commodity HQ. RBOB Gasoline ETFs vs. RBOB Gasoline Futures vs. RBOB Gasoline Stocks vs. Physical RBOB Gasoline (n/a).
  • RBOB Gasoline ETF: United States Gasoline Fund (UGA B-) trades tens of thousands of shares each day.
  • Research Reports: The UGA Analyst Report and Realtime Ratings.

Broad Energy ETFs

For investors seeking exposure to multiple energy commodities, there are a number of products that blend the contracts highlighted above.

  • Commodity Overview: How to invest in Broad Energy at Commodity HQ.
  • Most Heavily Traded Broad Energy ETF: The DB Energy Fund (DBE A) is the most popular option for traders.

The Bottom Line

There are a number of ETF options in the energy world, each with their own set of price drivers. Be sure to look under the hood of a fund prior to investment to ensure you fully understand how it works.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @ETFdb.

» Popular Pages

  • Tickers
  • Articles

Jun 18

WGMI a Second Quarter Top Performer

Jun 18

T. Rowe ETFs: Active Benefits at Competitive Prices

Jun 18

As Active Bond ETF Demand Picks Up, Here Are 2 Options

Jun 18

ETF of the Week: Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO)

Jun 18

Industrial Demand Creating Momentum for Silver

Jun 18

The Case for Going Global Now

Jun 18

The Robot Will See You Now & AI Will Read Your Results

Jun 18

AI Growth Could Energize This Leveraged ETF

Jun 18

Rainwater Equity Makes ETF Foray With New Active Fund

Jun 18

Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin Remains Above $100K for 6th Straight Week

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

QQQ

Invesco QQQ Trust Series I

IBIT

iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF

ITA

iShares U.S. Aerospace &...

SPY

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

SHLD

Global X Defense Tech ETF

IVV

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

USO

United States Oil Fund LP

SCHD

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF...

SMH

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

Loading Articles...
Our Sites
  • VettaFi
  • Advisor Perspectives
  • ETF Trends
Tools
  • ETF Screener
  • Mutual Fund to ETF Converter
  • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison
  • ETF Country Exposure Tool
  • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
  • ETF Database Pro
More Tools
  • Financial Advisor & RIA Center
Explore ETFs
  • ETF News
  • ETF Category Reports
  • Premium Articles
  • Alphabetical Listing of ETFs
  • Browse ETFs by ETF Database Category
  • Browse ETFs by Index
  • Browse ETFs by Issuer
  • Compare ETFs
Information
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
  • © 2025 VettaFi LLC. All rights reserved.

Advertisement

Is Your Portfolio Positioned With Enough Global Exposure?

ETF Education Channel

How to Allocate Commodities in Portfolios

Tom LydonApr 26, 2022
2022-04-26

A long-running debate in asset allocation circles is how much of a portfolio an investor should...

Core Strategies Channel

Why ETFs Experience Limit Up/Down Protections

Karrie GordonMay 13, 2022
2022-05-13

In a digital age where information moves in milliseconds and millions of participants can transact...

}
X