ILOW vs. GSG
ILOW (AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ILOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. ILOW is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past year, ILOW returned 16.32% vs 37.47% for GSG. Their -0.09 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. ILOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
ILOW vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ILOW achieves a 10.52% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.52% return.
ILOW
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 1.93%
- 6M
- 7.00%
- YTD
- 10.52%
- 1Y
- 16.32%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 17.04%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- 6M
- 21.95%
- YTD
- 32.52%
- 1Y
- 37.47%
- 3Y*
- 12.51%
- 5Y*
- 14.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.36%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $18.96M | $16.42M | $22.87M | |
| $2.54M | $2.30M | $2.27M |
ILOW vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF | 10.52% | 26.99% | -1.53% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 32.52% | 5.93% | -1.76% |
Correlation
The correlation between ILOW and GSG is -0.23, 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. | -0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2024 | -0.09 |
The correlation between ILOW and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to -0.09 (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.
Return for Risk
ILOW vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
ILOW
GSG
ILOW vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) 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.
| ILOW | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.27 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 2.00 | -0.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.61 | 6.32 | +0.29 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
ILOW vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ILOW drawdown since its inception was -10.37%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILOW and GSG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ILOW | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -10.37% | -89.62% | +79.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.80% | -18.81% | +9.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.81% | — |
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 | 0.00% | -59.99% | +59.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.02% | -63.67% | +61.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.47% | 5.94% | -3.47% |
Volatility
ILOW vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is 3.47%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.99%. This indicates that ILOW 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
| ILOW | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.47% | 8.99% | -5.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.79% | 21.89% | -10.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.62% | 24.44% | -10.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.41% | 22.90% | -8.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.41% | 22.08% | -7.67% |
ILOW vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
ILOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
ILOW vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
ILOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF | 1.45% | 1.60% | 0.78% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ILOW and GSG have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.99%) compared to ILOW (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILOW dropped -10.37% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 1-year performance, GSG leads with 37.47% vs 16.32% for ILOW. On fees, ILOW is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ILOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GSG has performed better with a 37.47% return vs 16.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ILOW is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
ILOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
ILOW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ILOW and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.20), 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 ILOW 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