DCMSX vs. BICSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DCMSX (DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio) and BICSX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 10 years, DCMSX returned 7.72%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for BICSX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DCMSX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for BICSX.

Performance

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio (DCMSX) and BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DCMSX achieves a 30.71% return, which is significantly higher than BICSX's 20.87% return. Over the past 10 years, DCMSX has underperformed BICSX with an annualized return of 7.72%, while BICSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.47% annualized return.

DCMSX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -2.57%
• YTD: 30.71%
• 6M: 29.48%
• 1Y: 42.92%
• 3Y*: 17.27%
• 5Y*: 12.32%
• 10Y*: 7.72%

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%

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

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DCMSX DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio	30.71%	15.15%	5.90%	-9.14%	11.36%	33.54%	-1.78%	7.96%	-11.22%	2.73%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between DCMSX and BICSX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2011	0.81

The correlation between DCMSX and BICSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DCMSX vs. BICSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DCMSX

DCMSX Risk / Return Rank: 81
DCMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DCMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DCMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
DCMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DCMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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

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.

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	DCMSX	BICSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	2.78	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	3.50	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.48	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.10	6.47	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.43	23.58	-7.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DCMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is comparable to the BICSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DCMSX and BICSX, 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

	DCMSX	BICSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	2.78	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.77	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.63	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.28	-0.17

Drawdowns

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DCMSX drawdown since its inception was -60.94%, which is greater than BICSX's maximum drawdown of -51.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DCMSX and BICSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DCMSX	BICSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.94%	-51.59%	-9.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.21%	-6.27%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.10%	-10.53%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.93%	-22.35%	-5.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.52%	-35.82%	+3.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.81%	-2.34%	-1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.79%	-20.52%	-11.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	1.72%	+0.94%

Volatility

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio (DCMSX) has a higher volatility of 5.53% compared to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) at 4.41%. This indicates that DCMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BICSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DCMSX	BICSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	4.41%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	12.00%	+2.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.32%	14.72%	+1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.31%	15.82%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.48%	15.04%	-0.56%

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DCMSX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is lower than BICSX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

DCMSX vs. BICSX - Dividend Comparison

DCMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.06%, more than BICSX's 2.56% 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%
DCMSX DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio	8.06%	10.75%	2.83%	2.52%	7.46%	49.44%	0.37%	1.51%	1.63%	3.09%	0.47%	0.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DCMSX and BICSX in my portfolio?

DCMSX and BICSX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DCMSX or BICSX?

DCMSX has higher volatility (5.53%) compared to BICSX (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DCMSX dropped -60.94% vs BICSX's -51.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.71), 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.