EDV vs. GSG
EDV (Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EDV is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury STRIPS 20-30 Year Equal Par Bond Index, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EDV returned -4.40%/yr vs 8.24%/yr for GSG. Their -0.23 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. EDV charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
EDV vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EDV achieves a -5.76% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 35.21% return. Over the past 10 years, EDV has underperformed GSG with an annualized return of -4.40%, while GSG has yielded a comparatively higher 8.24% annualized return.
EDV
- 1D
- 0.47%
- 1M
- -5.91%
- 6M
- -5.09%
- YTD
- -5.76%
- 1Y
- -5.56%
- 3Y*
- -4.58%
- 5Y*
- -12.82%
- 10Y*
- -4.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.37%
GSG
- 1D
- -2.68%
- 1M
- 9.90%
- 6M
- 27.47%
- YTD
- 35.21%
- 1Y
- 38.52%
- 3Y*
- 13.26%
- 5Y*
- 14.69%
- 10Y*
- 8.24%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.27%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $91.73M | $72.86M | $67.75M | |
| $17.98M | $16.40M | $25.53M |
EDV vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDV Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF | -5.76% | 0.65% | -12.78% | 1.65% | -39.15% | -6.19% | 23.59% | 18.67% | -3.40% | 13.94% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 35.21% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between EDV and GSG is -0.37, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2007 | -0.23 |
The correlation between EDV and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.37 (1 year) to -0.15 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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
EDV vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
EDV
GSG
EDV vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF (EDV) 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.
| EDV | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 1.28 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.42 | 2.06 | -2.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.87 | 6.61 | -7.48 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
EDV vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EDV drawdown since its inception was -59.96%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDV and GSG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| EDV | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.96% | -89.62% | +29.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.24% | -18.81% | +5.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.74% | -18.81% | -3.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -55.03% | -29.12% | -25.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -59.96% | -57.64% | -2.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -56.76% | -59.18% | +2.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -23.70% | -63.67% | +39.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.39% | 5.85% | +0.54% |
Volatility
EDV vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF (EDV) is 3.91%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.75%. This indicates that EDV 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
| EDV | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.91% | 8.75% | -4.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.21% | 22.27% | -12.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.01% | 24.37% | -10.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.52% | 22.89% | -1.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.74% | 22.07% | -2.33% |
EDV vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
EDV has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
EDV vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
EDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.42%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDV Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF | 5.42% | 4.94% | 4.65% | 3.81% | 3.28% | 1.95% | 5.54% | 3.51% | 2.90% | 2.92% | 5.32% | 4.24% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EDV and GSG have a correlation of -0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.75%) compared to EDV (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDV dropped -59.96% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 10-year performance, GSG leads with 8.24% vs -4.40% for EDV. On fees, EDV is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, EDV has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GSG has performed better with a 8.24% return vs -4.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EDV is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
EDV has the higher dividend yield at 5.42%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
EDV is categorized as Government Bonds, while GSG is Commodities. EDV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury STRIPS 20-30 Year Equal Par Bond Index, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for EDV and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs -0.40), 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.
Find the right allocation for EDV 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