SWISX vs. VCMDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWISX (Schwab International Index Fund) and VCMDX (Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - SWISX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while VCMDX is a Commodities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, SWISX returned 8.74%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for VCMDX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SWISX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VCMDX.

Performance

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWISX achieves a 9.54% return, which is significantly lower than VCMDX's 22.84% return.

SWISX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 11.96%
• 1Y: 22.29%
• 3Y*: 17.02%
• 5Y*: 8.74%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

VCMDX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -2.11%
• YTD: 22.84%
• 6M: 22.83%
• 1Y: 35.30%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 12.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	9.54%	31.59%	3.54%	18.13%	-14.30%	11.25%	8.14%	7.73%
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	22.84%	18.20%	5.27%	-7.45%	13.83%	34.82%	5.07%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SWISX and VCMDX is 0.04, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2019	0.30

Over the past year, the correlation between SWISX and VCMDX has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.30, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SWISX vs. VCMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWISX

SWISX Risk / Return Rank: 26
SWISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
SWISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
SWISX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
SWISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SWISX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VCMDX

VCMDX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VCMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VCMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VCMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VCMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VCMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX). 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.

	SWISX	VCMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.41	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	3.06	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	4.92	-3.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.06	15.03	-7.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the VCMDX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWISX and VCMDX, 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

	SWISX	VCMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	2.41	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.77	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.85	-0.55

Drawdowns

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWISX drawdown since its inception was -60.65%, which is greater than VCMDX's maximum drawdown of -26.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWISX and VCMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWISX	VCMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.65%	-26.67%	-33.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.39%	-7.25%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.68%	-9.90%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.42%	-25.45%	-3.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-3.45%	+2.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.81%	-10.86%	-3.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	2.37%	+0.66%

Volatility

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) is 4.69%, while Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX) has a volatility of 5.03%. This indicates that SWISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWISX	VCMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.69%	5.03%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	12.68%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.18%	14.90%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	15.86%	+0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.88%	15.39%	+1.49%

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWISX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than VCMDX's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWISX vs. VCMDX - Dividend Comparison

SWISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.24%, less than VCMDX's 12.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	3.24%	3.55%	3.29%	3.31%	2.73%	3.34%	1.88%	3.09%	3.15%	2.71%	3.19%	2.71%
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	12.38%	15.21%	2.19%	2.50%	14.21%	30.56%	0.50%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWISX and VCMDX in my portfolio?

SWISX and VCMDX have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWISX or VCMDX?

VCMDX has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to SWISX (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWISX dropped -60.65% vs VCMDX's -26.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCMDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.41), 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.