BCSKX vs. PCLAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BCSKX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K) and PCLAX (PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 5 years, BCSKX returned 11.70%/yr vs 15.17%/yr for PCLAX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BCSKX charges 0.67%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for PCLAX.

Performance

BCSKX vs. PCLAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCSKX achieves a 19.88% return, which is significantly lower than PCLAX's 35.83% return.

BCSKX

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

PCLAX

• 1D: 1.75%
• 1M: -2.13%
• YTD: 35.83%
• 6M: 35.41%
• 1Y: 46.09%
• 3Y*: 16.42%
• 5Y*: 15.17%
• 10Y*: 11.27%

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

BCSKX vs. PCLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
PCLAX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	35.83%	4.13%	5.76%	-0.14%	22.73%	43.18%	-9.67%	19.19%	-15.62%

Correlation

The correlation between BCSKX and PCLAX is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2018	0.68

The correlation between BCSKX and PCLAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BCSKX vs. PCLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

PCLAX

PCLAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
PCLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
PCLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PCLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
PCLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
PCLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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. PCLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) and PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX). 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	PCLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.91	2.54	+0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.66	3.18	+0.47
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.44	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.66	6.75	-0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	24.39	17.54	+6.85
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. PCLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCSKX Sharpe Ratio is 2.91, which is comparable to the PCLAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCSKX and PCLAX, 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	PCLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91	2.54	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.78	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.15	+0.59

Drawdowns

BCSKX vs. PCLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCSKX drawdown since its inception was -30.34%, smaller than the maximum PCLAX drawdown of -68.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCSKX and PCLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCSKX	PCLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.34%	-68.19%	+37.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.27%	-6.93%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.51%	-13.76%	+3.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.34%	-21.75%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-52.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.12%	-5.31%	+2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.56%	-25.66%	+19.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	2.67%	-0.96%

Volatility

BCSKX vs. PCLAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) is 4.29%, while PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund (PCLAX) has a volatility of 6.93%. This indicates that BCSKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCSKX	PCLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	6.93%	-2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.94%	16.86%	-4.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.59%	19.52%	-4.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.78%	19.53%	-3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.04%	40.66%	-25.62%

BCSKX vs. PCLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCSKX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than PCLAX's 1.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCSKX vs. PCLAX - Dividend Comparison

BCSKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than PCLAX's 1.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
PCLAX PIMCO CommoditiesPLUS Strategy Fund	1.24%	1.20%	5.20%	4.58%	44.24%	75.67%	0.45%	2.07%	18.31%	12.18%	0.09%	1.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCSKX and PCLAX in my portfolio?

BCSKX and PCLAX have a correlation of 0.69, 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 PCLAX?

PCLAX has higher volatility (6.93%) compared to BCSKX (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCSKX dropped -30.34% vs PCLAX's -68.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCSKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 2.54), 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.