SDG vs. GSG
SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SDG is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDG returned 8.63%/yr vs 7.69%/yr for GSG. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SDG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
SDG vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SDG achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 42.58% return. Over the past 10 years, SDG has outperformed GSG with an annualized return of 8.63%, while GSG has yielded a comparatively lower 7.69% annualized return.
SDG
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 9.62%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 7.55%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 8.63%
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%
SDG vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 9.89% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -11.51% | -1.20% | 44.36% | 25.38% | -8.32% | 27.28% |
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% |
Correlation
The correlation between SDG and GSG is -0.22, 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 | -0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2016 | 0.21 |
The correlation between SDG and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to 0.21 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SDG vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
SDG
GSG
SDG vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) 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.
| SDG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.40 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.96 | 5.47 | -2.52 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.84 | 14.39 | -3.55 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SDG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.78 | 2.26 | -0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.70 | -0.66 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.35 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | -0.09 | +0.60 |
Drawdowns
SDG vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SDG drawdown since its inception was -30.35%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDG and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SDG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.35% | -89.62% | +59.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -9.46% | +0.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.92% | -14.94% | -7.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.35% | -29.12% | -1.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.35% | -57.64% | +27.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.33% | -56.95% | +56.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.66% | -63.71% | +54.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.36% | 3.59% | -1.23% |
Volatility
SDG vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) is 5.28%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.65%. This indicates that SDG 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.
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Volatility by Period
| SDG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.28% | 7.65% | -2.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.07% | 20.42% | -9.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.41% | 22.95% | -8.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.63% | 22.61% | -6.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.68% | 22.03% | -5.35% |
SDG vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
SDG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
SDG vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
SDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.82% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SDG and GSG have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to SDG (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDG dropped -30.35% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 10-year performance, SDG leads with 8.63% vs 7.69% for GSG. On fees, SDG is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SDG has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SDG has performed better with a 8.63% return vs 7.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SDG is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
SDG has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
SDG is categorized as Global Equities, while GSG is Commodities. SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SDG and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.78), 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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