BICSX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BICSX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BICSX is a Commodities fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, BICSX returned 9.47%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for VFAIX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BICSX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) 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, BICSX achieves a 20.87% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -5.08% return. Over the past 10 years, BICSX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 9.47%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.42% annualized return.

BICSX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -1.57%
• YTD: 20.87%
• 6M: 22.97%
• 1Y: 40.20%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 12.07%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BICSX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio	20.87%	28.70%	4.38%	-4.32%	11.90%	22.44%	6.80%	11.60%	-14.50%	8.28%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between BICSX and VFAIX is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2011	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between BICSX and VFAIX has dropped to 0.09 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BICSX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BICSX

BICSX Risk / Return Rank: 84
BICSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BICSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
BICSX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
BICSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BICSX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) 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.

	BICSX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	0.29	+2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	0.48	+3.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.06	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.47	0.29	+6.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.58	0.76	+22.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BICSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BICSX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BICSX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78	0.29	+2.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.43	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.55	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.23	+0.05

Drawdowns

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BICSX drawdown since its inception was -51.59%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BICSX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BICSX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.59%	-78.64%	+27.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.27%	-14.72%	+8.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.53%	-17.31%	+6.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.35%	-25.71%	+3.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.82%	-44.37%	+8.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-7.97%	+5.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.52%	-18.61%	-1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	5.51%	-3.79%

Volatility

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) has a higher volatility of 4.41% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 3.07%. This indicates that BICSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BICSX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.41%	3.07%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	10.98%	+1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	14.68%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	19.33%	-3.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.04%	22.60%	-7.56%

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BICSX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

BICSX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

BICSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, more than VFAIX's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BICSX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio	2.56%	3.09%	3.60%	9.39%	9.05%	2.68%	0.80%	2.03%	2.12%	0.65%	0.94%	0.00%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.54%	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 BICSX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

BICSX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BICSX or VFAIX?

BICSX has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BICSX dropped -51.59% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 0.29), 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.