COMB vs GSG
GraniteShares Bloomberg Commodity Broad Strategy No K-1 ETF vs iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust
Which is better, COMB or GSG?
GSG has been ahead.
COMB has a lower expense ratio. GSG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | COMB | GSG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $163M | $1.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.85% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 28 | 22 |
| YTD Return | +34.41% | +58.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +41.39% | +62.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.75% | +18.31%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.20% | +15.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 22.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.5%Best | -57.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,252 | $20,555Best |
| Fund Family | GraniteShares | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Commodity |
| Style | Commodities | Commodities |
| Inception | May 19, 2017 | Jul 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 24, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.4 years).
COMB vs GSG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.4 years both funds cover.
COMB vs GSG Performance
GraniteShares Bloomberg Commodity Broad Strategy No K-1 ETF (COMB) is an ETF from GraniteShares and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year COMB returned +41.39% while GSG returned +62.52%. Year to date, COMB is up 34.41% versus a gain of 58.65% for GSG.
Over three years, COMB compounded at +15.75% per year against +18.31% for GSG; over five years the annualized figures are +10.20% and +15.50% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, GSG has the edge at +10.16% annualized vs +8.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% compared with 14.6% for COMB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.5% for COMB and -57.6% for GSG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COMB charges 0.25% per year while GSG charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $75 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COMB currently yields 6.85% against 0.00% for GSG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of COMB and GSG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, COMB or GSG?
COMB has an expense ratio of 0.25% while GSG charges 0.75%. COMB is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COMB or GSG?
Over the past year COMB returned +41.39% vs +62.52% for GSG, so GSG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), COMB annualized +8.18% vs +10.16% for GSG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COMB or GSG?
GSG has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 14.6% for COMB. Worst drawdown: COMB -33.5% vs GSG -57.6%.
Should I hold both COMB and GSG?
COMB and GSG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, COMB or GSG?
COMB yields 6.85% while GSG yields 0.00%, so COMB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GSG better than COMB?
COMB has a lower expense ratio. GSG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.