VYM vs. BCI
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and BCI (abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while BCI is a Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VYM returned 12.10%/yr vs 9.82%/yr for BCI. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for BCI.
Performance
VYM vs. BCI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 11.70% return, which is significantly lower than BCI's 16.69% return.
VYM
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 11.70%
- 6M
- 11.13%
- 1Y
- 25.24%
- 3Y*
- 18.48%
- 5Y*
- 12.10%
- 10Y*
- 12.00%
BCI
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- -8.66%
- YTD
- 16.69%
- 6M
- 16.52%
- 1Y
- 22.05%
- 3Y*
- 11.86%
- 5Y*
- 9.82%
- 10Y*
- —
VYM vs. BCI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.70% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 12.45% |
BCI abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF | 16.69% | 15.07% | 5.47% | -8.79% | 15.09% | 26.18% | -2.77% | 7.06% | -11.21% | 3.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYM and BCI is 0.05, 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 | 0.05 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2017 | 0.29 |
Over the past year, the correlation between VYM and BCI has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.29, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VYM vs. BCI — Risk / Return Rank
VYM
BCI
VYM vs. BCI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI). 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.
| VYM | BCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.24 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.79 | 1.84 | +1.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.09 | 6.82 | +7.27 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VYM vs. BCI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than BCI's maximum drawdown of -32.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and BCI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VYM | BCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.98% | -32.69% | -24.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.69% | -12.04% | +5.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.46% | -12.04% | -2.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.84% | -26.50% | +10.66% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.21% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.12% | -12.04% | +10.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.18% | -11.98% | +4.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 3.56% | -1.76% |
Volatility
VYM vs. BCI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.02%, while abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI) has a volatility of 3.49%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BCI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VYM | BCI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.02% | 3.49% | -0.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.64% | 14.94% | -7.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.41% | 17.18% | -6.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.93% | 16.79% | -2.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.35% | 15.65% | +0.70% |
VYM vs. BCI - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than BCI's 0.26% 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
VYM vs. BCI - Dividend Comparison
VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, less than BCI's 14.13% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BCI abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF | 14.13% | 16.49% | 3.29% | 3.93% | 19.98% | 19.43% | 0.68% | 1.47% | 1.13% | 5.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.29% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VYM and BCI have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BCI has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to VYM (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs BCI's -32.69%.
On 5-year performance, VYM leads with 12.10% vs 9.82% for BCI. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VYM has performed better with a 12.10% return vs 9.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for BCI.
BCI has the higher dividend yield at 14.13%, compared with 2.29% for VYM.
VYM is categorized as Dividend, while BCI is Commodities. VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while BCI tracks Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Aberdeen. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.26% for BCI.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.29), 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.
Find the right allocation for VYM and BCI
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer