DFAR vs. GSG
DFAR (Dimensional US Real Estate ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAR is a REIT fund actively managed by Dimensional, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. DFAR is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAR returned 9.30%/yr vs 15.01%/yr for GSG. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAR charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
DFAR vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFAR achieves a 16.55% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 34.43% return.
DFAR
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- -0.06%
- 6M
- 14.48%
- YTD
- 16.55%
- 1Y
- 15.26%
- 3Y*
- 9.30%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GSG
- 1D
- 1.57%
- 1M
- 1.37%
- 6M
- 28.74%
- YTD
- 34.43%
- 1Y
- 38.08%
- 3Y*
- 15.01%
- 5Y*
- 14.34%
- 10Y*
- 7.57%
DFAR vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAR Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | 16.55% | 1.31% | 5.25% | 11.04% | -12.16% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 34.43% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 4.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFAR and GSG is -0.13, 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 | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2022 | 0.03 |
The correlation between DFAR and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFAR vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
DFAR
GSG
DFAR vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.
| DFAR | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.29 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.82 | 2.03 | -0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.72 | 6.88 | -1.16 |
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Drawdowns
DFAR vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFAR drawdown since its inception was -32.27%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAR and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFAR | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.27% | -89.62% | +57.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.43% | -18.81% | +10.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.64% | -18.81% | +1.17% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.12% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.90% | -59.41% | +58.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.88% | -63.69% | +49.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.68% | 5.55% | -2.87% |
Volatility
DFAR vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) is 4.85%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.37%. This indicates that DFAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFAR | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.85% | 7.37% | -2.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.67% | 21.54% | -10.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.86% | 23.48% | -9.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.12% | 22.80% | -3.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.12% | 22.00% | -2.88% |
DFAR vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFAR has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFAR vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
DFAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAR Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | 2.66% | 2.97% | 2.89% | 3.06% | 1.69% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFAR and GSG have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.37%) compared to DFAR (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAR dropped -32.27% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 3-year performance, GSG leads with 15.01% vs 9.30% for DFAR. On fees, DFAR is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, DFAR has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, GSG has performed better with a 15.01% return vs 9.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFAR is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
DFAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
DFAR is categorized as REIT, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for DFAR and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.11), 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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