BICSX vs. VWO

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

BICSX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - BICSX is a Commodities fund managed by BlackRock, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Over the past 10 years, BICSX returned 8.22%/yr vs 8.20%/yr for VWO. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BICSX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

BICSX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BICSX achieves a 12.37% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 11.53% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BICSX having a 8.22% annualized return and VWO not far behind at 8.20%.

BICSX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -3.41%
• 6M: 8.49%
• YTD: 12.37%
• 1Y: 26.90%
• 3Y*: 14.94%
• 5Y*: 10.88%
• 10Y*: 8.22%

VWO

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.69%
• 6M: 8.17%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 1Y: 23.93%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 5.73%
• 10Y*: 8.20%

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

BICSX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BICSX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio	12.37%	28.70%	4.38%	-4.32%	11.90%	22.44%	6.80%	11.60%	-14.50%	8.28%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	11.53%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between BICSX and VWO is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2011	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between BICSX and VWO has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BICSX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

BICSX

BICSX Risk / Return Rank: 62
BICSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BICSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BICSX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
BICSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BICSX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 51
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	BICSX	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.40	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	1.96	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.26	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.14	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.82	7.34	+1.49

BICSX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BICSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BICSX and VWO, 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

BICSX vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BICSX drawdown since its inception was -51.59%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BICSX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BICSX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.59%	-67.68%	+16.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	-11.17%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.71%	-17.37%	+5.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.35%	-30.90%	+8.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.82%	-36.39%	+0.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.21%	-2.20%	-7.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.43%	-15.76%	-4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	3.25%	-0.07%

Volatility

BICSX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) is 3.63%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.32%. This indicates that BICSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BICSX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	6.32%	-2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.99%	14.73%	-2.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.99%	17.05%	-2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.80%	17.57%	-1.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.01%	19.13%	-4.12%

BICSX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

BICSX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

BICSX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

BICSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, more than VWO's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BICSX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio	2.75%	3.09%	3.60%	9.39%	9.05%	2.68%	0.80%	2.03%	2.12%	0.65%	0.94%	0.00%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.31%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BICSX and VWO in my portfolio?

BICSX and VWO have a correlation of 0.27, 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 VWO?

VWO has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to BICSX (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BICSX dropped -51.59% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.40), 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.