GEM vs. GSEW

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and GSEW (Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while GSEW is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Solactive US Large Cap Equal Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GEM returned 7.71%/yr vs 8.49%/yr for GSEW. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GEM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for GSEW.

Performance

GEM vs. GSEW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GEM achieves a 17.80% return, which is significantly higher than GSEW's 12.06% return.

GEM

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -2.35%
• 6M: 8.93%
• YTD: 17.80%
• 1Y: 35.17%
• 3Y*: 18.77%
• 5Y*: 7.71%
• 10Y*: 8.48%
• ALL TIME*: 9.14%

GSEW

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.50%
• 6M: 9.23%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$6.22M	$6.08M	$5.34M
GSEW Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	$8.73M	$7.29M	$6.34M

GEM vs. GSEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	17.80%	33.43%	6.66%	11.82%	-21.33%	-0.19%	13.23%	17.79%	-14.25%	6.42%
GSEW Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	12.06%	11.97%	16.89%	17.80%	-17.54%	25.43%	16.28%	31.04%	-8.11%	7.72%

Correlation

The correlation between GEM and GSEW is 0.54, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2017	0.64

The correlation between GEM and GSEW shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GEM vs. GSEW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GEM	GSEW
Technology	38.4%	18.3%
Financial Services	19.6%	15.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	9.9%
Communication Services	6.1%	3.9%
Basic Materials	6.0%	4.3%
Industrials	5.5%	16.4%
Healthcare	3.0%	12.0%
Energy	2.9%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	5.7%
Utilities	1.8%	5.9%
Real Estate	0.7%	4.3%

Return for Risk

GEM vs. GSEW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GEM

GEM Risk / Return Rank: 64
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

GSEW

GSEW Risk / Return Rank: 60
GSEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
GSEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
GSEW Omega Ratio Rank: 55
GSEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
GSEW Martin Ratio Rank: 69

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GEM vs. GSEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GEM	GSEW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.36	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	1.96	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.24	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	2.16	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.58	8.34	-0.77

GEM vs. GSEW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the GSEW Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEM and GSEW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GEM vs. GSEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GEM drawdown since its inception was -37.02%, roughly equal to the maximum GSEW drawdown of -38.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEM and GSEW.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEM	GSEW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.02%	-38.65%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.50%	-7.72%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-18.18%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.14%	-25.74%	-7.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.35%	-1.09%	-8.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.93%	-5.80%	-6.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.51%	2.00%	+2.51%

Volatility

GEM vs. GSEW - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) has a higher volatility of 8.66% compared to Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSEW) at 2.52%. This indicates that GEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GSEW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEM	GSEW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.66%	2.52%	+6.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.69%	9.17%	+12.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.75%	12.30%	+11.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.64%	16.92%	+1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.35%	19.08%	+0.27%

GEM vs. GSEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

GEM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than GSEW's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GEM vs. GSEW - Dividend Comparison

GEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, more than GSEW's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.95%	2.30%	2.58%	2.97%	2.96%	3.00%	1.63%	3.13%	2.08%	1.81%	1.98%	0.25%
GSEW Goldman Sachs Equal Weight U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	1.38%	1.52%	1.46%	1.64%	1.74%	1.34%	1.53%	1.66%	1.56%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GEM and GSEW in my portfolio?

GEM and GSEW have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEM or GSEW?

GEM has higher volatility (8.66%) compared to GSEW (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEM dropped -37.02% vs GSEW's -38.65%.

Which ETF is better, GEM or GSEW?

On 5-year performance, GSEW leads with 8.49% vs 7.71% for GEM. On fees, GSEW is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GSEW has been the lower-risk option at 2.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GEM or GSEW?

Over the 5-year period, GSEW has performed better with a 8.49% return vs 7.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GEM or GSEW?

GSEW is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GEM or GSEW?

GEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 1.38% for GSEW.

What is the main difference between GEM and GSEW?

GEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while GSEW is Large Cap Blend Equities. GEM tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while GSEW tracks Solactive US Large Cap Equal Weight Index. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GEM and 0.09% for GSEW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.36), 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.