About CRSAX
Credit Suisse Commodity Return Strategy Fund is an open-end mutual fund designed to provide investors with broad exposure to global commodity markets. Its primary function is to seek total return by aiming to outperform the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return, which serves as its primary benchmark. The fund achieves this by investing in a combination of commodity-linked derivative instruments—such as structured notes and swaps—and a portfolio of short-duration, investment-grade fixed income securities.
A distinguishing characteristic of the fund is its use of a wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary, which allows it to efficiently gain exposure to commodity index-linked derivatives. Rather than holding physical commodities, the fund invests in derivatives tied to energy, agriculture, industrial metals, livestock, and precious metals markets, thereby offering a convenient and cost-effective diversification strategy for investors seeking access to commodities.
The fund’s approach makes it suitable for investors wishing to diversify away from traditional equity and fixed income assets, as performance drivers for commodities often differ from those of stocks and bonds. Notably, the strategy is non-diversified, meaning a greater concentration in fewer issuers, which can result in higher volatility compared to broadly diversified funds.
Fund Family Credit Suisse (New York, NY)
Category Commodities Broad Basket
Stock Exchange NASDAQ
Ticker Symbol CRSAX
Share Class Class A
Index Bloomberg Commodity TR
CRSAX had a total return of 8.62% in the past year, including dividends. Since the fund's
inception, the average annual return has been -0.61%.
