PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
GSG vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GSG vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSG returned 7.69%/yr vs 35.79%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GSG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

GSG vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSG achieves a 42.58% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return. Over the past 10 years, GSG has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 7.69%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.79% annualized return.

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%

SOXX

1D
1.76%
1M
33.25%
YTD
104.57%
6M
99.43%
1Y
190.05%
3Y*
57.39%
5Y*
34.50%
10Y*
35.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GSG vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GSG
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust		42.58%5.93%8.52%-5.51%24.08%38.77%-23.94%15.62%-13.88%3.89%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		104.57%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between GSG and SOXX is -0.11, 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

-0.11

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.04

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.12

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.17

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2006

0.23

The correlation between GSG and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), 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.

iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with GSG:
GSG vs. DBCGSG vs. PDBCGSG vs. COMTGSG vs. VCMDXGSG vs. GLDGSG vs. HGERGSG vs. CGL.TO
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

GSG vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GSG
GSG Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
GSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
GSG Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
GSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
GSG Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9595
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 9595
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

GSG vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). 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.

GSGSOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.26
5.61

-3.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.88
5.36

-2.48

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.74

-0.34

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.47

12.13

-6.66

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.39

46.43

-32.04

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSG vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSG Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 5.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSG and SOXX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

GSGSOXXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.26

5.61

-3.35

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.70

0.96

-0.26

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.35

1.07

-0.72

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.09

0.45

-0.53

Drawdowns

GSG vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSG drawdown since its inception was -89.62%, which is greater than SOXX's maximum drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSG and SOXX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

GSGSOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-89.62%

-70.21%

-19.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.46%

-15.77%

+6.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.94%

-41.36%

+26.42%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.12%

-45.75%

+16.63%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-57.64%

-45.75%

-11.89%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-56.95%

0.00%

-56.95%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-63.71%

-19.97%

-43.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.59%

4.11%

-0.52%

Volatility

GSG vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) is 7.65%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that GSG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

GSGSOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.65%

14.03%

-6.38%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

20.42%

27.35%

-6.93%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.95%

34.18%

-11.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.61%

36.11%

-13.50%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.03%

33.43%

-11.40%

GSG vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSG vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		0.27%0.57%0.67%0.78%1.26%0.64%0.81%1.23%1.37%0.90%1.08%1.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

GSG and SOXX have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to GSG (7.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSG dropped -89.62% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs 7.69% for GSG. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, GSG has been the lower-risk option at 7.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.79% return vs 7.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.

SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.27%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.

GSG is categorized as Commodities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GSG and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 vs 2.26), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for GSG and SOXX

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