BCSKX vs. ARCIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BCSKX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K) and ARCIX (AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 5 years, BCSKX returned 12.16%/yr vs 15.82%/yr for ARCIX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BCSKX charges 0.67%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for ARCIX.

Performance

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BCSKX having a 20.95% return and ARCIX slightly higher at 21.57%.

BCSKX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: -1.49%
• YTD: 20.95%
• 6M: 23.08%
• 1Y: 40.34%
• 3Y*: 18.24%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: —

ARCIX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: 21.57%
• 6M: 23.81%
• 1Y: 40.49%
• 3Y*: 18.04%
• 5Y*: 15.82%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

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

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BCSKX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K	20.95%	28.88%	4.44%	-4.27%	11.95%	22.49%	6.84%	3.89%	2.06%
ARCIX AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund	21.57%	20.99%	7.43%	-0.22%	21.39%	39.74%	8.15%	18.15%	-19.89%

Correlation

The correlation between BCSKX and ARCIX is 0.82, 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	0.82
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 BCSKX and ARCIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BCSKX vs. ARCIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCSKX

BCSKX Risk / Return Rank: 85
BCSKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
BCSKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
BCSKX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
BCSKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BCSKX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

ARCIX

ARCIX Risk / Return Rank: 82
ARCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
ARCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ARCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ARCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ARCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) and AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund (ARCIX). 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.

	BCSKX	ARCIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	2.76	+0.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	3.48	+0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.50	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.49	4.92	+1.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	23.65	17.44	+6.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCSKX Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is comparable to the ARCIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCSKX and ARCIX, 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

	BCSKX	ARCIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82	2.76	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.84	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.32	+0.42

Drawdowns

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCSKX drawdown since its inception was -30.34%, smaller than the maximum ARCIX drawdown of -54.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCSKX and ARCIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCSKX	ARCIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.34%	-54.25%	+23.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.27%	-8.36%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.51%	-13.67%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.34%	-20.29%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	-3.92%	+1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.56%	-25.38%	+18.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	2.36%	-0.64%

Volatility

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) is 4.37%, while AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund (ARCIX) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that BCSKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARCIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCSKX	ARCIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	4.88%	-0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.91%	12.62%	-0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.58%	14.97%	-0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.78%	19.04%	-3.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.04%	17.43%	-2.39%

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCSKX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than ARCIX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCSKX vs. ARCIX - Dividend Comparison

BCSKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than ARCIX's 11.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ARCIX AQR Risk-Balanced Commodities Strategy Fund	11.05%	13.44%	2.11%	7.56%	9.51%	18.23%	0.09%	5.19%	0.67%	0.01%	4.82%
BCSKX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K	2.59%	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 BCSKX and ARCIX in my portfolio?

BCSKX and ARCIX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BCSKX or ARCIX?

ARCIX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to BCSKX (4.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCSKX dropped -30.34% vs ARCIX's -54.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCSKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 2.76), 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.