ARCNX vs. BCSKX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARCNX (AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N) and BCSKX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 5 years, ARCNX returned 15.00%/yr vs 11.70%/yr for BCSKX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARCNX charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for BCSKX.

Performance

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N (ARCNX) and BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARCNX achieves a 21.24% return, which is significantly higher than BCSKX's 19.88% return.

ARCNX

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -0.63%
• YTD: 21.24%
• 6M: 23.89%
• 1Y: 40.32%
• 3Y*: 17.70%
• 5Y*: 15.00%
• 10Y*: 12.02%

BCSKX

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: -1.58%
• YTD: 19.88%
• 6M: 22.95%
• 1Y: 39.26%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARCNX AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N	21.24%	20.76%	7.19%	-0.50%	20.97%	39.48%	8.11%	17.68%	-20.06%
BCSKX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K	19.88%	28.88%	4.44%	-4.27%	11.95%	22.49%	6.84%	3.89%	2.06%

Correlation

The correlation between ARCNX and BCSKX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2018	0.72

The correlation between ARCNX and BCSKX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (all time) to 0.83 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARCNX vs. BCSKX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARCNX

ARCNX Risk / Return Rank: 84
ARCNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
ARCNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ARCNX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ARCNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ARCNX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

BCSKX

BCSKX Risk / Return Rank: 87
BCSKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BCSKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
BCSKX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
BCSKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BCSKX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N (ARCNX) and BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ARCNX	BCSKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	2.91	-0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	3.66	-0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.50	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.00	6.66	-1.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.67	24.39	-6.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARCNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is comparable to the BCSKX Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARCNX and BCSKX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARCNX	BCSKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	2.91	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.75	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.74	-0.43

Drawdowns

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARCNX drawdown since its inception was -55.17%, which is greater than BCSKX's maximum drawdown of -30.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARCNX and BCSKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARCNX	BCSKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.17%	-30.34%	-24.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-6.27%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.65%	-10.51%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.30%	-22.34%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.80%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.11%	-3.12%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.96%	-6.56%	-19.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	1.71%	+0.63%

Volatility

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Volatility Comparison

AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N (ARCNX) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) at 4.29%. This indicates that ARCNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BCSKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARCNX	BCSKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	4.29%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.68%	11.94%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.00%	14.59%	+0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	15.78%	+3.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.44%	15.04%	+2.40%

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARCNX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than BCSKX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARCNX vs. BCSKX - Dividend Comparison

ARCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.19%, more than BCSKX's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ARCNX AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund Class N	11.19%	13.57%	1.89%	7.45%	9.45%	18.31%	0.09%	4.98%	0.29%	0.01%	4.69%
BCSKX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K	2.61%	3.13%	3.66%	9.45%	9.11%	2.72%	0.84%	2.08%	2.02%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARCNX and BCSKX in my portfolio?

ARCNX and BCSKX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARCNX or BCSKX?

ARCNX has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to BCSKX (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARCNX dropped -55.17% vs BCSKX's -30.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCSKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 2.86), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.