GSG vs VOO
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GSG or VOO?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. GSG led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y 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 | GSG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 22 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +58.65%Best | +13.57% |
| 1Y Return | +62.52%Best | +17.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.31% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.50%Best | +13.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.8% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,555Best | $18,654 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.1 years).
GSG vs VOO 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 16.1 years both funds cover.
GSG vs VOO Performance
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GSG returned +62.52% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, GSG is up 58.65% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, GSG compounded at +18.31% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +15.50% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.40% annualized vs +1.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -79.8% for GSG and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSG charges 0.75% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSG currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSG and VOO 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, GSG or VOO?
GSG has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSG or VOO?
Over the past year GSG returned +62.52% vs +17.55% for VOO, so GSG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), GSG annualized +1.53% vs +13.40% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSG or VOO?
GSG has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: GSG -79.8% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both GSG and VOO?
GSG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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, GSG or VOO?
GSG yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.06%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than GSG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. GSG led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.