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XSLV vs. GSG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XSLV vs. GSG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSLV (Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - XSLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Low Volatility Index, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XSLV returned 5.44%/yr vs 7.69%/yr for GSG. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XSLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.

Performance

XSLV vs. GSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSLV achieves a 6.15% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 42.58% return. Over the past 10 years, XSLV has underperformed GSG with an annualized return of 5.44%, while GSG has yielded a comparatively higher 7.69% annualized return.

XSLV

1D
-1.47%
1M
-1.16%
YTD
6.15%
6M
6.31%
1Y
9.97%
3Y*
8.56%
5Y*
2.94%
10Y*
5.44%

GSG

1D
0.77%
1M
-4.83%
YTD
42.58%
6M
41.06%
1Y
51.52%
3Y*
19.31%
5Y*
15.74%
10Y*
7.69%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XSLV vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XSLV
Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF		6.15%0.31%9.81%1.34%-11.83%29.34%-17.40%22.35%-5.41%8.57%
GSG
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust		42.58%5.93%8.52%-5.51%24.08%38.77%-23.94%15.62%-13.88%3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between XSLV and GSG is -0.22, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.22

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.02

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.10

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.16

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 19, 2013

0.17

The correlation between XSLV and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to 0.17 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust

Often compared with XSLV:
XSLV vs. SMLVXSLV vs. SPYXSLV vs. USMVXSLV vs. FSPGXXSLV vs. FTBFXXSLV vs. VBRXSLV vs. VOO
Often compared with GSG:
GSG vs. DBCGSG vs. PDBCGSG vs. COMTGSG vs. VCMDXGSG vs. GLDGSG vs. HGERGSG vs. CGL.TO

Return for Risk

XSLV vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XSLV
XSLV Risk / Return Rank: 2424
Overall Rank
XSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 2020
Omega Ratio Rank
XSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2828
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
GSG
GSG Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
GSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
GSG Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
GSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
GSG Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

XSLV vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) 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.

XSLVGSGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.76
2.26

-1.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.21
2.88

-1.67

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.13

1.40

-0.27

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.34

5.47

-4.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.80

14.39

-10.60

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSLV vs. GSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is lower than the GSG Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSLV and GSG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XSLVGSGDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.76

2.26

-1.50

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.18

0.70

-0.52

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.27

0.35

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.41

-0.09

+0.50

Drawdowns

XSLV vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSLV drawdown since its inception was -44.34%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSLV and GSG.

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Drawdown Indicators

XSLVGSGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-44.34%

-89.62%

+45.28%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.46%

-9.46%

+2.00%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.35%

-14.94%

-3.41%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.72%

-29.12%

+4.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.34%

-57.64%

+13.30%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.77%

-56.95%

+54.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.29%

-63.71%

+56.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.63%

3.59%

-0.96%

Volatility

XSLV vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) is 3.92%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.65%. This indicates that XSLV 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

XSLVGSGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.92%

7.65%

-3.73%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.94%

20.42%

-11.48%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.16%

22.95%

-9.79%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.66%

22.61%

-5.95%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.93%

22.03%

-2.10%

XSLV vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSLV vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison

XSLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
XSLV
Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF		2.61%2.14%2.55%2.35%2.78%1.05%2.49%2.43%2.75%1.87%1.96%2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

XSLV and GSG have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GSG has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to XSLV (3.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSLV dropped -44.34% vs GSG's -89.62%.

On 10-year performance, GSG leads with 7.69% vs 5.44% for XSLV. On fees, XSLV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, XSLV has been the lower-risk option at 3.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, GSG has performed better with a 7.69% return vs 5.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XSLV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.

XSLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.

XSLV is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while GSG is Commodities. XSLV tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Low Volatility Index, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XSLV and 0.75% for GSG.

GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.76), 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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