GSG vs. DBC
GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) and DBC (Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund) are both Commodities funds - GSG tracks the S&P GSCI Total Return Index while DBC tracks the DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSG returned 6.69%/yr vs 8.01%/yr for DBC. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DBC.
Performance
GSG vs. DBC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSG achieves a 26.84% return, which is significantly higher than DBC's 22.58% return. Over the past 10 years, GSG has underperformed DBC with an annualized return of 6.69%, while DBC has yielded a comparatively higher 8.01% annualized return.
GSG
- 1D
- -0.95%
- 1M
- -12.03%
- YTD
- 26.84%
- 6M
- 26.40%
- 1Y
- 23.99%
- 3Y*
- 14.41%
- 5Y*
- 13.07%
- 10Y*
- 6.69%
DBC
- 1D
- -0.80%
- 1M
- -10.25%
- YTD
- 22.58%
- 6M
- 22.42%
- 1Y
- 21.81%
- 3Y*
- 10.98%
- 5Y*
- 10.64%
- 10Y*
- 8.01%
GSG vs. DBC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 26.84% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 22.58% | 8.10% | 2.18% | -6.19% | 19.34% | 41.36% | -7.84% | 11.84% | -11.63% | 4.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSG and DBC is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2006 | 0.93 |
The correlation between GSG and DBC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GSG vs. DBC — Risk / Return Rank
GSG
DBC
GSG vs. DBC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) and Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC). 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.
| GSG | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.21 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.52 | 1.62 | -0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.22 | 6.82 | -0.60 |
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Drawdowns
GSG vs. DBC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSG drawdown since its inception was -89.62%, which is greater than DBC's maximum drawdown of -76.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSG and DBC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSG | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -89.62% | -76.36% | -13.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.88% | -13.51% | -2.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.88% | -13.82% | -2.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.12% | -27.34% | -1.78% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -57.64% | -41.71% | -15.93% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -61.70% | -29.09% | -32.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -63.69% | -46.17% | -17.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.46% | 3.97% | +0.49% |
Volatility
GSG vs. DBC - Volatility Comparison
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) at 4.60%. This indicates that GSG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GSG | DBC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.46% | 4.60% | +0.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.81% | 16.16% | +4.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.19% | 18.75% | +4.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.66% | 19.20% | +3.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.03% | 17.81% | +4.22% |
GSG vs. DBC - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than DBC's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
GSG vs. DBC - Dividend Comparison
GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DBC Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 2.72% | 3.33% | 5.22% | 4.94% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.59% | 1.30% |
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% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, GSG and DBC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
GSG has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to DBC (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSG dropped -89.62% vs DBC's -76.36%.
On 10-year performance, DBC leads with 8.01% vs 6.69% for GSG. On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, DBC has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, DBC has performed better with a 8.01% return vs 6.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DBC.
DBC has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index, while DBC tracks DBIQ Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Index Excess Return. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GSG and 0.85% for DBC.
DBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 1.04), 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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