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7 Best-Performing Commodity ETFs for May: PIT, OILK, and More
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7 Best-Performing Commodity ETFs for May: PIT, OILK, and More
Commodity exchange-traded funds such as PIT and OILK can help hedge against inflation and global conflict. Here are the top-performing commodity ETFs.
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Alana Benson is an editor who joined NerdWallet in 2019. Historically she has covered a wide variety of investing topics including stocks, socially responsible investing, cryptocurrency, mutual funds, HSAs and financial advice. She is also a frequent contributor to NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast. Alana has appeared on FOX Houston and the "PennyWise" podcast and has been quoted in MarketWatch and The Sun. Before joining NerdWallet, she wrote two books on identity theft and several young adult nonfiction titles. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, MSN, Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + more
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Pamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all.She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group.
She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group. Managing Editor + more + more Nerdy takeawaysCommodity ETFs are baskets of investments that focus on oil, corn, gold, soybeans and other commodities.
Commodity ETFs may help diversify your portfolio.
Highly focused commodity ETFs may carry more risk than well-diversified ETFs.
PIT is one of the best-performing commodity ETFs in the last year. SIVR is one of the best-performing exchange-traded commodities (ETCs).
What is a commodity ETF?
What is a commodity ETF?A commodity ETF is an exchange-traded fund that invests in physical commodities such as agricultural products, energy sources and metals. Commodity ETFs often grow in popularity during global conflict or high inflation, as commodities are always needed by consumers. Other purchases — for example, luxury goods or discretionary items — may be put off during difficult times.
A commodity ETF is an exchange-traded fund that invests in physical commodities such as agricultural products, energy sources and metals. Commodity ETFs often grow in popularity during global conflict or high inflation , as commodities are always needed by consumers. Other purchases — for example, luxury goods or discretionary items — may be put off during difficult times.Broad commodity ETFs may include several types of commodities, such as oil, wheat, gold, silver, corn, and soybeans. A more focused commodity ETF will likely invest in just one type.
Broad commodity ETFs may include several types of commodities, such as oil, wheat, gold, silver, corn, and soybeans. A more focused commodity ETF will likely invest in just one type.7 best-performing commodity ETFs
7 best-performing commodity ETFsBelow are seven of the best-performing ETFs listed on major U.S. exchanges that track commodities, ordered by one-year return.
Below are seven of the best-performing ETFs listed on major U.S. exchanges that track commodities, ordered by one-year return.The best-performing commodity ETF by one-year return is VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT), which is up 58.43%.
The best-performing commodity ETF by one-year return is VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT), which is up 58.43%.
The best-performing commodity ETF by one-year return is VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT), which is up 58.43%.Ticker
TickerCompany
CompanyPerformance (Year)
Performance (Year)PIT
PITVanEck Commodity Strategy ETF
VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF58.43%
58.43%OILK
OILKProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil ETF
ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil ETF56.52%
56.52%PDBC
PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF
Invesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF46.97%
46.97%COMT
COMTiShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF
iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF46.59%
46.59%CERY
CERYState Street SPDR Bloomberg Enhanced Roll Yld Comdty Straty No K-1 ETF
State Street SPDR Bloomberg Enhanced Roll Yld Comdty Straty No K-1 ETF41.59%
41.59%SDCI
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund
USCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund41.25%
41.25%FGDL
FGDLFranklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF
Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF41.09%
41.09%Source: Finviz. Data is current as of May 4, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.
Source: Finviz. Data is current as of May 4, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.Brokerage firms
Brokerage firms
Brokerage firmson Charles Schwab's website
on E*TRADE's website
on Vanguard's website
on Fidelity's website
What are exchange-traded commodities (ETCs?)
What are exchange-traded commodities (ETCs?)Exchange-traded commodities (ETCs), which are also sometimes known as commodity exchange-traded products (ETPs), are securities that track a specific commodity, such as silver, by investing in futures contracts.
Exchange-traded commodities (ETCs), which are also sometimes known as commodity exchange-traded products (ETPs), are securities that track a specific commodity, such as silver, by investing in futures contracts .ETC returns largely reflect changes in the spot price of the underlying commodity, but other factors may cause their returns to diverge slightly from the underlying commodity. For example, the process of "rolling over" futures contracts — that is, renewing the ETC's commodity investment positions when old contracts expire — can generate unexpected profits or losses for ETCs.
ETC returns largely reflect changes in the spot price of the underlying commodity, but other factors may cause their returns to diverge slightly from the underlying commodity. For example, the process of "rolling over" futures contracts — that is, renewing the ETC's commodity investment positions when old contracts expire — can generate unexpected profits or losses for ETCs.Best-performing exchange-traded commodities
Best-performing exchange-traded commoditiesBelow are seven of the best-performing ETCs listed on major U.S. exchanges, ranked by one-year return.
Below are seven of the best-performing ETCs listed on major U.S. exchanges, ranked by one-year return.The best-performing commodity ETC by one-year return is Abrdn Silver ETF Trust (SIVR), which is up 130.19%.
The best-performing commodity ETC by one-year return is Abrdn Silver ETF Trust (SIVR), which is up 130.19%.
The best-performing commodity ETC by one-year return is Abrdn Silver ETF Trust (SIVR), which is up 130.19%.Ticker
TickerCompany
CompanyPerformance (Year)
Performance (Year)SIVR
SIVRAbrdn Silver ETF Trust
Abrdn Silver ETF Trust130.19%
130.19%SLV
SLViShares Silver Trust
iShares Silver Trust129.52%
129.52%USO
USOUnited States Oil Fund
United States Oil Fund123.29%
123.29%PLTM
PLTMGraniteShares Platinum Shares
GraniteShares Platinum Shares102.85%
102.85%PPLT
PPLTAbrdn Platinum ETF Trust
Abrdn Platinum ETF Trust102.60%
102.60%DBE
DBEInvesco DB Energy Fund
Invesco DB Energy Fund99.25%
99.25%DBO
DBOInvesco DB Oil Fund
Invesco DB Oil Fund90.69%
90.69%Source: Finviz. Data is current as of May 4, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.
Source: Finviz. Data is current as of May 4, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.Why invest in commodity ETFs?
Why invest in commodity ETFs?Commodity ETFs can help round out an investment portfolio. They offer diversification by providing exposure to additional economic sectors. That way, if one sector is performing poorly, another sector may be able to boost it.
Commodity ETFs can help round out an investment portfolio. They offer diversification by providing exposure to additional economic sectors. That way, if one sector is performing poorly, another sector may be able to boost it.For example, if you invest in an oil commodity ETF and a clean energy ETF, you're protecting your portfolio against economic volatility. If a foreign war is making oil more expensive, clean energy may get a boost. If the price of solar panels goes up, oil becomes more attractive to consumers. This formula doesn't always work perfectly, but it may help your investments enjoy some stability.
For example, if you invest in an oil commodity ETF and a clean energy ETF , you're protecting your portfolio against economic volatility. If a foreign war is making oil more expensive, clean energy may get a boost. If the price of solar panels goes up, oil becomes more attractive to consumers. This formula doesn't always work perfectly, but it may help your investments enjoy some stability.Pros and cons of commodity ETFs
Pros and cons of commodity ETFsCommodity ETF pros
Commodity ETF prosCommodities can help hedge against inflation.
Commodities can help hedge against inflation.Commodity ETFs may help diversify your portfolio, depending on what you’ve already invested in.
Commodity ETFs may help diversify your portfolio, depending on what you’ve already invested in.Commodity ETF cons
Commodity ETF consCommodities are often at the whim of geopolitical and climate events. If you invest in a wheat ETF and there's widespread drought, for instance, your ETF may not perform well.
Commodities are often at the whim of geopolitical and climate events. If you invest in a wheat ETF and there's widespread drought, for instance, your ETF may not perform well.If you invest too much in any one particular commodity, that may cancel out its diversification benefits.
If you invest too much in any one particular commodity, that may cancel out its diversification benefits.How to invest in commodity ETFs
How to invest in commodity ETFsInvesting in commodity ETFs is fairly easy, but you'll need to follow a few steps first if you don't already have a brokerage account.
Investing in commodity ETFs is fairly easy, but you'll need to follow a few steps first if you don't already have a brokerage account.1. Open an investment account
1. Open an investment accountAn investment account is simply where your investments themselves — and the money you plan to spend on them — live. Some investment accounts have significant tax benefits over others, so it's worth reading up on which type of investment account is right for you. Once you know which type of account you'd like to open, you can read our roundup of the best online brokerage accounts to find one that fits your needs.
An investment account is simply where your investments themselves — and the money you plan to spend on them — live. Some investment accounts have significant tax benefits over others, so it's worth reading up on which type of investment account is right for you. Once you know which type of account you'd like to open, you can read our roundup of the best online brokerage accounts to find one that fits your needs.» Check out the best brokerage accounts for ETFs
» » Check out Check out the best brokerage accounts for ETFs2. Research commodity ETFs
2. Research commodity ETFsMost online brokerage accounts will have screening tools that can help you search through commodity ETFs. When comparing ETFs, make sure you look at the following metrics to help narrow down your options:
Most online brokerage accounts will have screening tools that can help you search through commodity ETFs. When comparing ETFs, make sure you look at the following metrics to help narrow down your options:Expense ratios: Expense ratios are annual fees that are taken as a percentage of your assets. For example, if the fund charges a 1% expense ratio, and you have $10,000 invested, you'll pay $100 in fees annually. ETFs tend to have lower expense ratios than actively managed funds, and you may be able to find commodity ETFs with expense ratios around 0.20%.
Expense ratios: Expense ratios: Expense ratios are annual fees that are taken as a percentage of your assets. For example, if the fund charges a 1% expense ratio, and you have $10,000 invested, you'll pay $100 in fees annually. ETFs tend to have lower expense ratios than actively managed funds, and you may be able to find commodity ETFs with expense ratios around 0.20%.Keep in mind that you'll never see expense ratios show up on monthly statements. These fees are taken out automatically, so it's important to know how much you'll lose to fees before you invest. Check out our mutual fund fee calculator to see how much a fee can cost you over time.
Keep in mind that you'll never see expense ratios show up on monthly statements. These fees are taken out automatically, so it's important to know how much you'll lose to fees before you invest. Check out our mutual fund fee calculator to see how much a fee can cost you over time.Volume: This shows how many shares traded hands over a given time period — it’s an indicator of how popular a particular fund is.
Volume: Volume: This shows how many shares traded hands over a given time period — it’s an indicator of how popular a particular fund is.Holdings: Most funds will show you their top ten holdings, which means the ten companies that take up the biggest percentage of a fund.
Holdings: Holdings: Most funds will show you their top ten holdings, which means the ten companies that take up the biggest percentage of a fund.Performance: Sure, past performance doesn’t indicate future returns, but a fund's history can be useful. Look at a fund's long-term performance, so three-year, five-year or 10-year performance instead of one-year for example, to get a sense of how it has performed historically.
Performance: Performance: Sure, past performance doesn’t indicate future returns, but a fund's history can be useful. Look at a fund's long-term performance, so three-year, five-year or 10-year performance instead of one-year for example, to get a sense of how it has performed historically.3. Purchase the commodity ETF
3. Purchase the commodity ETFThe process for buying commodity ETFs is similar to the process for buying stocks. Navigate to the “trading” section of your brokerage’s website and search for the ETF using its name or ticker symbol and enter either how many shares you'd like to purchase or the dollar amount you'd like to purchase.
The process for buying commodity ETFs is similar to the process for buying stocks. Navigate to the “trading” section of your brokerage’s website and search for the ETF using its name or ticker symbol and enter either how many shares you'd like to purchase or the dollar amount you'd like to purchase.» Next steps: How to buy and invest in ETFs
» Next steps: » Next steps: How to buy and invest in ETFs About the author Alana Benson Alana Benson Alana Benson is an investing writer who covers socially responsible and ESG investing, financial advice and beginner investing topics. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, MSN, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch and others. See full bio.Helpful resources
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