GGUS vs. RFDA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GGUS (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. GGUS is passively managed, while RFDA is actively managed. Over the past year, GGUS returned 9.71% vs 26.35% for RFDA. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GGUS charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

GGUS vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF (GGUS) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GGUS achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly lower than RFDA's 14.14% return.

GGUS

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -3.00%
• 6M: 2.46%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 1Y: 9.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.99%

RFDA

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.66%
• 6M: 12.44%
• YTD: 14.14%
• 1Y: 26.35%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: 13.32%
• ALL TIME*: 13.38%

*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)
GGUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF	$1.02M	$954.14K	$1.64M
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	$102.21K	$102.34K	$118.80K

GGUS vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GGUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF	1.28%	17.32%	30.88%	4.54%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	14.14%	16.42%	20.12%	5.33%

Correlation

The correlation between GGUS and RFDA is 0.65, 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.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2023	0.76

The correlation between GGUS and RFDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.76 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GGUS vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GGUS	RFDA
Technology	51.4%	15.4%
Communication Services	14.5%	6.2%
Industrials	9.0%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	8.1%
Healthcare	6.6%	12.2%
Financial Services	5.5%	18.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	7.1%
Utilities	1.4%	4.9%
Energy	0.6%	11.1%
Real Estate	0.5%	5.1%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

GGUS vs. RFDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

GGUS

GGUS Risk / Return Rank: 21
GGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
GGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
GGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 21
GGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
GGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 23

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 89
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 86
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

GGUS vs. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF (GGUS) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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.

	GGUS	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	2.07	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.76	2.85	-2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.38	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.53	4.47	-3.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.66	15.99	-14.32

GGUS vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GGUS Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is lower than the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GGUS and RFDA, 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

GGUS vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GGUS drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, smaller than the maximum RFDA drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GGUS and RFDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	GGUS	RFDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-34.60%	+12.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.91%	-5.45%	-9.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.35%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.05%	-0.84%	-6.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-3.70%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.78%	1.52%	+3.26%

Volatility

GGUS vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF (GGUS) has a higher volatility of 6.77% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 2.85%. This indicates that GGUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GGUS	RFDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.77%	2.85%	+3.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.83%	8.65%	+5.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.12%	11.76%	+5.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.24%	15.72%	+3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.24%	16.84%	+2.40%

GGUS vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

GGUS has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

GGUS vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

GGUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than RFDA's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GGUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF	0.43%	0.43%	0.68%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.77%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GGUS and RFDA in my portfolio?

GGUS and RFDA have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GGUS or RFDA?

GGUS has higher volatility (6.77%) compared to RFDA (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GGUS dropped -22.59% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

Which ETF is better, GGUS or RFDA?

On 1-year performance, RFDA leads with 26.35% vs 9.71% for GGUS. On fees, GGUS is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GGUS or RFDA?

Over the 1-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 26.35% return vs 9.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GGUS or RFDA?

GGUS is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for RFDA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GGUS or RFDA?

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.43% for GGUS.

What is the main difference between GGUS and RFDA?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for GGUS and 0.52% for RFDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 0.47), 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.