GCAL vs. GSST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GCAL (Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF) and GSST (Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GCAL is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while GSST is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GCAL returned 6.88% vs 4.61% for GSST. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GCAL charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for GSST.

Performance

GCAL vs. GSST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) and Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GCAL having a 1.59% return and GSST slightly lower at 1.55%.

GCAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 2.03%
• 1Y: 6.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSST

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 4.61%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 3.75%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GCAL vs. GSST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GCAL Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF	1.59%	4.60%	1.65%
GSST Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.55%	5.20%	2.51%

Correlation

The correlation between GCAL and GSST is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2024	0.29

Return for Risk

GCAL vs. GSST — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GCAL

GCAL Risk / Return Rank: 78
GCAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
GCAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
GCAL Omega Ratio Rank: 91
GCAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GCAL Martin Ratio Rank: 63

GSST

GSST Risk / Return Rank: 99
GSST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Omega Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

GCAL vs. GSST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) and Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST). 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.

	GCAL	GSST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	7.98	-5.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.08	16.58	-12.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	3.94	-2.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	29.99	-26.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.15	185.54	-174.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GCAL vs. GSST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is lower than the GSST Sharpe Ratio of 7.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCAL and GSST, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GCAL	GSST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	7.98	-5.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	5.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	3.78	-2.61

Drawdowns

GCAL vs. GSST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCAL drawdown since its inception was -4.39%, which is greater than GSST's maximum drawdown of -3.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCAL and GSST.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCAL	GSST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.39%	-3.51%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.24%	-0.15%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.25%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-1.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	0.00%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-0.16%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.62%	0.02%	+0.60%

Volatility

GCAL vs. GSST - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) has a higher volatility of 0.73% compared to Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST) at 0.13%. This indicates that GCAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GSST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCAL	GSST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	0.13%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.75%	0.41%	+1.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44%	0.58%	+1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.63%	0.63%	+3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.63%	0.86%	+2.77%

GCAL vs. GSST - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCAL has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than GSST's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCAL vs. GSST - Dividend Comparison

GCAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.32%, less than GSST's 4.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GCAL Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF	3.32%	3.06%	1.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GSST Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.32%	4.56%	5.45%	4.98%	1.97%	0.71%	1.12%	1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GCAL and GSST in my portfolio?

GCAL and GSST have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GCAL or GSST?

GCAL has higher volatility (0.73%) compared to GSST (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCAL dropped -4.39% vs GSST's -3.51%.

Which ETF is better, GCAL or GSST?

On 1-year performance, GCAL leads with 6.88% vs 4.61% for GSST. On fees, GSST is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, GSST has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GCAL or GSST?

Over the 1-year period, GCAL has performed better with a 6.88% return vs 4.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCAL or GSST?

GSST is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for GCAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GCAL or GSST?

GSST has the higher dividend yield at 4.32%, compared with 3.32% for GCAL.

What is the main difference between GCAL and GSST?

GCAL is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while GSST is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for GCAL and 0.16% for GSST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.98 vs 2.83), 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.