MCSTX vs. BICSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MCSTX (MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4) and BICSX (BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio) are both Commodities funds. Over the past 5 years, MCSTX returned 11.83%/yr vs 12.07%/yr for BICSX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MCSTX charges 0.91%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for BICSX.

Performance

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) and BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCSTX achieves a 24.65% return, which is significantly higher than BICSX's 20.87% return.

MCSTX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: 24.65%
• 6M: 25.11%
• 1Y: 39.46%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 11.83%
• 10Y*: —

BICSX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -1.57%
• YTD: 20.87%
• 6M: 22.97%
• 1Y: 40.20%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 12.07%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	24.65%	18.51%	5.09%	-6.15%	13.37%	27.60%	-0.21%	-1.04%
BICSX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio	20.87%	28.70%	4.38%	-4.32%	11.90%	22.44%	6.80%	1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between MCSTX and BICSX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2019	0.81

The correlation between MCSTX and BICSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MCSTX vs. BICSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MCSTX

MCSTX Risk / Return Rank: 75
MCSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
MCSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
MCSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
MCSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
MCSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

BICSX

BICSX Risk / Return Rank: 84
BICSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BICSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
BICSX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
BICSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BICSX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) and BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX). 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.

	MCSTX	BICSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.78	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	3.50	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.48	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.90	6.47	-1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.83	23.58	-7.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the BICSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCSTX and BICSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MCSTX	BICSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.78	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.77	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.28	+0.08

Drawdowns

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCSTX drawdown since its inception was -37.67%, smaller than the maximum BICSX drawdown of -51.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCSTX and BICSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCSTX	BICSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.67%	-51.59%	+13.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-6.27%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.77%	-10.53%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.67%	-22.35%	-15.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.02%	-2.34%	-0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.49%	-20.52%	+3.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	1.72%	+0.80%

Volatility

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4 (MCSTX) has a higher volatility of 4.64% compared to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio (BICSX) at 4.41%. This indicates that MCSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BICSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCSTX	BICSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.64%	4.41%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.54%	12.00%	+1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.79%	14.72%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.70%	15.82%	+18.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.00%	15.04%	+14.96%

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCSTX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than BICSX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCSTX vs. BICSX - Dividend Comparison

MCSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.90%, more than BICSX's 2.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BICSX BlackRock Commodity Strategies Portfolio	2.56%	3.09%	3.60%	9.39%	9.05%	2.68%	0.80%	2.03%	2.12%	0.65%	0.94%
MCSTX MFS Commodity Strategy Fund Class R4	12.90%	16.08%	3.30%	2.21%	27.44%	56.14%	0.87%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCSTX and BICSX in my portfolio?

MCSTX and BICSX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MCSTX or BICSX?

MCSTX has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to BICSX (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCSTX dropped -37.67% vs BICSX's -51.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.55), 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.