READE vs. READPE performance

Generally speaking, has anyone tried or know for a fact which of the
following scenarios result in better performance (faster I/O?)?...
1.  READE on logical with a descending key  (ex:  READE (Company : Route :
Date) LOGICAL1 where Date is keyed descending)
2.  READPE on logical with an ascending key  (ex: READPE (Company : Route :
Date) LOGICAL2 where Date is keyed ascending).

I want to read records in a history transaction file keyed with a date
field starting with the most recent and going backward.  I'm trying to
decide whether I should build a new logical over a fairly large physical,
or use an existing logical and use READPE instead of READE.  I will be
likely reading potentially 10,000 to 50,000 records in one pass and
performance is an issue.

Let me know if you need more information, but I was hoping for a quick and
dirty response.

Thanks!

Ben Pforsich
Programmer Analyst
Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
I/S Department
Columbus, Ohio
Ben_Pforsich@xxxxxxxxxxxx