BCSKX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BCSKX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BCSKX is a Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BCSKX returned 11.08%/yr vs 10.43%/yr for VFAIX. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BCSKX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCSKX achieves a 12.64% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -0.70% return.

BCSKX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -6.71%
• YTD: 12.64%
• 6M: 11.14%
• 1Y: 28.34%
• 3Y*: 15.47%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: —

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: -0.70%
• 6M: -2.07%
• 1Y: 8.46%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 13.53%

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

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BCSKX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K	12.64%	28.88%	4.44%	-4.27%	11.95%	22.49%	6.84%	3.89%	2.06%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.70%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-19.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BCSKX and VFAIX is 0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 2018	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between BCSKX and VFAIX has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BCSKX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCSKX

BCSKX Risk / Return Rank: 53
BCSKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
BCSKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
BCSKX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
BCSKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
BCSKX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BCSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	0.66	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	0.98	+1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.12	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	0.67	+2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	1.74	+10.67

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCSKX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCSKX and VFAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCSKX drawdown since its inception was -30.34%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCSKX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.34%	-78.64%	+48.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-14.72%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.51%	-17.31%	+6.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.34%	-25.71%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.97%	-3.73%	-5.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.56%	-18.57%	+12.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	5.66%	-3.43%

Volatility

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K (BCSKX) is 3.86%, while Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) has a volatility of 4.21%. This indicates that BCSKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCSKX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.86%	4.21%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.13%	11.38%	+0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.84%	14.96%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.75%	19.29%	-3.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.04%	22.62%	-7.58%

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCSKX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCSKX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

BCSKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, more than VFAIX's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCSKX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund Class K	2.78%	3.13%	3.66%	9.45%	9.11%	2.72%	0.84%	2.08%	2.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCSKX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

BCSKX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.10, 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 VFAIX?

VFAIX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to BCSKX (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCSKX dropped -30.34% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCSKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.66), 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.