DFSB vs. GSG
DFSB (Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - DFSB is a Global Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. DFSB is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSB returned 4.79%/yr vs 19.31%/yr for GSG. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. DFSB charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
DFSB vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 42.58% return.
DFSB
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.36%
- 3Y*
- 4.79%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GSG
- 1D
- 0.77%
- 1M
- -4.83%
- YTD
- 42.58%
- 6M
- 41.06%
- 1Y
- 51.52%
- 3Y*
- 19.31%
- 5Y*
- 15.74%
- 10Y*
- 7.69%
DFSB vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 0.84% | 5.22% | 2.45% | 9.37% | -0.77% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 42.58% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | -3.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSB and GSG is -0.41, 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 | -0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.18 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2022 | -0.16 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between DFSB and GSG has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.16 to -0.41, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
DFSB vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
DFSB
GSG
DFSB vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) 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.
| DFSB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.40 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.44 | 5.47 | -4.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.49 | 14.39 | -9.91 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFSB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.14 | 2.26 | -1.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.70 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.35 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.88 | -0.09 | +0.97 |
Drawdowns
DFSB vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSB drawdown since its inception was -5.16%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSB and GSG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| DFSB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -89.62% | +84.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.04% | -9.46% | +6.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.37% | -14.94% | +10.57% |
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 | -1.12% | -56.95% | +55.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.26% | -63.71% | +62.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 3.59% | -2.62% |
Volatility
DFSB vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) is 1.62%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.65%. This indicates that DFSB 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| DFSB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.62% | 7.65% | -6.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.10% | 20.42% | -17.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.85% | 22.95% | -19.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.46% | 22.61% | -17.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.46% | 22.03% | -16.57% |
DFSB vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSB has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSB vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
DFSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 3.61% | 3.46% | 4.35% | 5.27% | 0.41% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSB and GSG have a correlation of -0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to DFSB (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSB dropped -5.16% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 3-year performance, GSG leads with 19.31% vs 4.79% for DFSB. On fees, DFSB is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, DFSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.62%. 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 19.31% return vs 4.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFSB is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
DFSB has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
DFSB is categorized as Global Bonds, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for DFSB and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.14), 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.
Find the right allocation for DFSB and GSG
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer