SWTSX vs. VCMDX

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

SWTSX (Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund) and VCMDX (Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - SWTSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, while VCMDX is a Commodities fund actively managed by Vanguard. SWTSX is passively managed, while VCMDX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SWTSX returned 12.29%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for VCMDX. Their 0.21 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SWTSX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VCMDX.

Performance

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) 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, SWTSX achieves a 14.22% return, which is significantly lower than VCMDX's 16.34% return.

SWTSX

• 1D: 1.85%
• 1M: 2.41%
• 6M: 13.32%
• YTD: 14.22%
• 1Y: 24.42%
• 3Y*: 21.11%
• 5Y*: 12.29%
• 10Y*: 14.80%
• ALL TIME*: 8.54%

VCMDX

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 2.44%
• 6M: 7.88%
• YTD: 16.34%
• 1Y: 28.71%
• 3Y*: 11.61%
• 5Y*: 10.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.87%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SWTSX Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SWTSX Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund	14.22%	17.04%	23.84%	26.05%	-19.54%	25.65%	20.71%	11.52%
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	16.34%	18.20%	5.27%	-7.45%	13.83%	34.82%	5.07%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SWTSX and VCMDX is -0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2019	0.21

The correlation between SWTSX and VCMDX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SWTSX vs. VCMDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SWTSX

SWTSX Risk / Return Rank: 68
SWTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SWTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SWTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SWTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SWTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

VCMDX

VCMDX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VCMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VCMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VCMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VCMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VCMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) 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.

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.

	SWTSX	VCMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.87	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.46	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.33	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.13	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.58	6.88	+4.70

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWTSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the VCMDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWTSX 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.

Drawdowns

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWTSX drawdown since its inception was -54.60%, which is greater than VCMDX's maximum drawdown of -26.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWTSX and VCMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWTSX	VCMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.60%	-26.67%	-27.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-13.39%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.43%	-13.39%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-25.45%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-8.55%	+8.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-10.80%	+0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	4.14%	-2.07%

Volatility

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) has a higher volatility of 4.17% compared to Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX) at 3.71%. This indicates that SWTSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWTSX	VCMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	3.71%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.53%	11.31%	-0.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	15.24%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.57%	15.83%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.62%	15.36%	+3.26%

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWTSX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VCMDX's 0.16% 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

SWTSX vs. VCMDX - Dividend Comparison

SWTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than VCMDX's 13.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWTSX Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund	0.96%	1.10%	1.24%	1.41%	1.62%	1.46%	1.63%	1.92%	2.58%	1.83%	2.32%	2.79%
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	13.07%	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 SWTSX and VCMDX in my portfolio?

SWTSX and VCMDX have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWTSX or VCMDX?

SWTSX has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to VCMDX (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWTSX dropped -54.60% vs VCMDX's -26.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCMDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.82), 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.