BIV vs. COMT
BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) and COMT (iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while COMT is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Dynamic Roll (USD) Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BIV returned 1.78%/yr vs 8.33%/yr for COMT. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. BIV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for COMT.
Performance
BIV vs. COMT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.21% return, which is significantly lower than COMT's 30.19% return. Over the past 10 years, BIV has underperformed COMT with an annualized return of 1.78%, while COMT has yielded a comparatively higher 8.33% annualized return.
BIV
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.41%
- 6M
- -0.31%
- YTD
- -0.21%
- 1Y
- 3.89%
- 3Y*
- 4.31%
- 5Y*
- -0.01%
- 10Y*
- 1.78%
COMT
- 1D
- -0.49%
- 1M
- 2.53%
- 6M
- 26.18%
- YTD
- 30.19%
- 1Y
- 33.20%
- 3Y*
- 12.71%
- 5Y*
- 11.75%
- 10Y*
- 8.33%
BIV vs. COMT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.21% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
COMT iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | 30.19% | 6.07% | 5.96% | -6.56% | 19.45% | 36.88% | -18.66% | 10.81% | -6.67% | 11.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIV and COMT is -0.36, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2014 | -0.14 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between BIV and COMT has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.14 to -0.36, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
BIV vs. COMT — Risk / Return Rank
BIV
COMT
BIV vs. COMT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT). 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.
| BIV | COMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.27 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.23 | 1.90 | -0.67 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.21 | 6.35 | -3.14 |
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Drawdowns
BIV vs. COMT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum COMT drawdown of -51.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and COMT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIV | COMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.95% | -51.89% | +32.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.18% | -17.57% | +14.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.07% | -17.57% | +11.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.74% | -29.00% | +10.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.95% | -39.22% | +20.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.01% | -11.28% | +9.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.38% | -23.95% | +20.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.22% | 5.24% | -4.02% |
Volatility
BIV vs. COMT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) is 1.26%, while iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT) has a volatility of 5.91%. This indicates that BIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COMT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BIV | COMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.26% | 5.91% | -4.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 19.67% | -16.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.04% | 21.54% | -17.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.41% | 21.20% | -14.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.50% | 18.85% | -13.35% |
BIV vs. COMT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BIV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than COMT's 0.48% expense ratio.
Dividends
BIV vs. COMT - Dividend Comparison
BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, less than COMT's 5.95% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.25% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
COMT iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | 5.95% | 7.74% | 4.90% | 5.19% | 29.79% | 17.79% | 0.36% | 2.61% | 11.65% | 5.16% | 0.52% | 1.44% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BIV and COMT have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
COMT has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to BIV (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs COMT's -51.89%.
On 10-year performance, COMT leads with 8.33% vs 1.78% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, COMT has performed better with a 8.33% return vs 1.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for COMT.
COMT has the higher dividend yield at 5.95%, compared with 4.25% for BIV.
BIV is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while COMT is Commodities. BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while COMT tracks S&P GSCI Dynamic Roll (USD) Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BIV and 0.48% for COMT.
COMT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.97), 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.
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