VGPMX vs. PCRIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGPMX (Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund) and PCRIX (PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - VGPMX is a Global Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while PCRIX is a Commodities fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, VGPMX returned 11.53%/yr vs -2.66%/yr for PCRIX. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGPMX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for PCRIX.

Performance

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) and PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Fund (PCRIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGPMX achieves a 21.14% return, which is significantly lower than PCRIX's 26.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VGPMX has outperformed PCRIX with an annualized return of 11.53%, while PCRIX has yielded a comparatively lower -2.66% annualized return.

VGPMX

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: 6.96%
• YTD: 21.14%
• 6M: 25.95%
• 1Y: 66.86%
• 3Y*: 31.54%
• 5Y*: 20.51%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

PCRIX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: -2.54%
• YTD: 26.86%
• 6M: 23.71%
• 1Y: 39.70%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: -9.52%
• 10Y*: -2.66%

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

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGPMX Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund	21.14%	65.96%	5.78%	10.06%	7.34%	19.50%	17.21%	20.67%	-32.26%	13.75%
PCRIX PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Fund	26.86%	17.05%	10.59%	-68.64%	8.94%	33.35%	0.79%	12.29%	-13.77%	2.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VGPMX and PCRIX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2002	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between VGPMX and PCRIX has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VGPMX vs. PCRIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGPMX

VGPMX Risk / Return Rank: 95
VGPMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VGPMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VGPMX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VGPMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VGPMX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

PCRIX

PCRIX Risk / Return Rank: 75
PCRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
PCRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PCRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
PCRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
PCRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) and PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Fund (PCRIX). 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.

	VGPMX	PCRIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.02	2.48	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.82	3.10	+1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.44	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.25	5.66	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.90	17.68	+4.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGPMX Sharpe Ratio is 4.02, which is higher than the PCRIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGPMX and PCRIX, 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

	VGPMX	PCRIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02	2.48	+1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.19	-0.27	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	-0.10	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	-0.11	+0.37

Drawdowns

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGPMX drawdown since its inception was -78.85%, smaller than the maximum PCRIX drawdown of -88.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGPMX and PCRIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGPMX	PCRIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.85%	-88.17%	+9.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.80%	-7.12%	-5.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.63%	-10.28%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.71%	-78.15%	+55.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.59%	-78.15%	+23.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-79.68%	+79.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.55%	-51.80%	+17.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.27%	+0.79%

Volatility

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) has a higher volatility of 5.98% compared to PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Fund (PCRIX) at 5.27%. This indicates that VGPMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PCRIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGPMX	PCRIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.98%	5.27%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.83%	14.12%	-0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.76%	16.32%	+0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.38%	35.79%	-18.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	27.19%	-6.32%

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGPMX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than PCRIX's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGPMX vs. PCRIX - Dividend Comparison

VGPMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, less than PCRIX's 4.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCRIX PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Fund	4.00%	5.61%	8.34%	16.19%	46.23%	22.74%	1.56%	4.00%	5.94%	8.14%	0.91%	5.29%
VGPMX Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund	3.22%	2.59%	2.68%	3.22%	3.27%	3.26%	2.03%	2.39%	3.02%	0.02%	1.72%	2.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGPMX and PCRIX in my portfolio?

VGPMX and PCRIX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGPMX or PCRIX?

VGPMX has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to PCRIX (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGPMX dropped -78.85% vs PCRIX's -88.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGPMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.02 vs 2.48), 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.