SCOP vs. GSG

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

SCOP (Sprott Physical Copper Trust) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SCOP is a Copper fund actively managed by Sprott, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. SCOP is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCOP charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.

Performance

SCOP vs. GSG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

SCOP

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -13.74%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSG

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: 6.33%
• 6M: 31.88%
• YTD: 36.17%
• 1Y: 38.27%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 14.58%
• 10Y*: 7.91%

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

SCOP vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SCOP Sprott Physical Copper Trust	-13.67%
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust	-7.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SCOP and GSG is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2026	0.05

Return for Risk

SCOP vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCOP

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

GSG

GSG Risk / Return Rank: 57
GSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
GSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
GSG Omega Ratio Rank: 60
GSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
GSG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

SCOP vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Copper Trust (SCOP) 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.

	SCOP	GSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.65	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.25	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.29	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.06	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.84	—

Drawdowns

SCOP vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCOP drawdown since its inception was -21.04%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCOP and GSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCOP	GSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.04%	-89.62%	+68.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-18.81%	—
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.73%	-58.89%	+38.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.30%	-63.68%	+54.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.66%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SCOP	GSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.09%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	21.58%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.99%	23.52%	+14.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.99%	22.81%	+15.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.99%	22.00%	+15.99%

SCOP vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCOP has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCOP vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison

Neither SCOP nor GSG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCOP and GSG in my portfolio?

SCOP and GSG have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SCOP or GSG?

On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCOP or GSG?

GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.30% for SCOP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCOP or GSG?

SCOP and GSG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SCOP and GSG?

SCOP is categorized as Copper, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.30% for SCOP and 0.75% for GSG.