VIG vs. GSG
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIG returned 13.18%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for GSG. Their 0.25 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VIG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
VIG vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIG achieves a 12.10% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.52% return. Over the past 10 years, VIG has outperformed GSG with an annualized return of 13.18%, while GSG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.03% annualized return.
VIG
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- 2.24%
- 6M
- 8.76%
- YTD
- 12.10%
- 1Y
- 20.57%
- 3Y*
- 16.49%
- 5Y*
- 10.79%
- 10Y*
- 13.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.34%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- 6M
- 21.95%
- YTD
- 32.52%
- 1Y
- 37.47%
- 3Y*
- 12.51%
- 5Y*
- 14.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.36%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $18.96M | $16.42M | $22.87M | |
| $246.24M | $242.12M | $261.98M |
VIG vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 12.10% | 14.17% | 16.99% | 14.51% | -9.80% | 23.76% | 15.43% | 29.62% | -2.08% | 22.22% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 32.52% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIG and GSG is -0.23, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.03 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.10 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2006 | 0.25 |
The correlation between VIG and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VIG vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
VIG
GSG
VIG vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) 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.
| VIG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.27 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.61 | 2.00 | +0.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.62 | 6.32 | +4.30 |
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Drawdowns
VIG vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIG drawdown since its inception was -46.81%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIG and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.81% | -89.62% | +42.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.91% | -18.81% | +10.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.95% | -18.81% | +3.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.39% | -29.12% | +8.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.72% | -57.64% | +25.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -59.99% | +59.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.47% | -63.67% | +58.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.94% | 5.94% | -4.00% |
Volatility
VIG vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is 2.98%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.99%. This indicates that VIG 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
| VIG | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.98% | 8.99% | -6.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.70% | 21.89% | -14.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.09% | 24.44% | -14.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.21% | 22.90% | -8.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.03% | 22.08% | -6.05% |
VIG vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIG vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 1.47% | 1.62% | 1.73% | 1.88% | 1.96% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.71% | 2.08% | 1.88% | 2.14% | 2.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIG and GSG have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.99%) compared to VIG (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIG dropped -46.81% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 10-year performance, VIG leads with 13.18% vs 8.03% for GSG. On fees, VIG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VIG has been the lower-risk option at 2.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VIG has performed better with a 13.18% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
VIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
VIG is categorized as Dividend, while GSG is Commodities. VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VIG and 0.75% for GSG.
VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.54), 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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