GSC vs. GEM

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

GSC (Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF) and GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while GEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index. GSC is actively managed, while GEM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSC returned 12.89%/yr vs 8.53%/yr for GEM. Their 0.21 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GSC charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for GEM.

Performance

GSC vs. GEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSC achieves a 25.66% return, which is significantly higher than GEM's 20.74% return. Over the past 10 years, GSC has outperformed GEM with an annualized return of 12.89%, while GEM has yielded a comparatively lower 8.53% annualized return.

GSC

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.05%
• 6M: 17.81%
• YTD: 25.66%
• 1Y: 32.89%
• 3Y*: 29.77%
• 5Y*: 22.41%
• 10Y*: 12.89%
• ALL TIME*: 0.44%

GEM

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -2.50%
• 6M: 11.99%
• YTD: 20.74%
• 1Y: 36.47%
• 3Y*: 20.45%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: 8.53%
• ALL TIME*: 9.38%

*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)
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$6.26M	$6.34M	$5.46M
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	$771.95K	$761.49K	$912.67K

GSC vs. GEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	25.66%	6.29%	13.79%	33.52%	28.40%	58.09%	-33.08%	29.69%	-19.52%	2.90%
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	20.74%	33.43%	6.66%	11.82%	-21.33%	-0.19%	13.23%	17.79%	-14.25%	36.43%

Correlation

The correlation between GSC and GEM is 0.56, 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.	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2015	0.21

Over the past year, GSC and GEM have become more correlated (0.56) than their long-term average of 0.21, meaning their price movements have been converging.

GSC vs. GEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSC	GEM
Technology	22.0%	38.4%
Healthcare	17.9%	3.0%
Industrials	16.1%	5.5%
Financial Services	15.8%	19.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	7.4%
Basic Materials	5.6%	6.0%
Energy	3.4%	2.9%
Utilities	2.8%	1.8%
Real Estate	2.4%	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	2.9%
Communication Services	0.9%	6.1%

Return for Risk

GSC vs. GEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSC

GSC Risk / Return Rank: 49
GSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
GSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
GSC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
GSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
GSC Martin Ratio Rank: 23

GEM

GEM Risk / Return Rank: 58
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 57
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

GSC vs. GEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM). 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.

	GSC	GEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.08	1.54	-1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	2.08	+1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.99	1.29	+0.70
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	2.72	-2.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.95	7.97	-6.03

GSC vs. GEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSC Sharpe Ratio is 0.08, which is lower than the GEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSC and GEM, 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

GSC vs. GEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSC drawdown since its inception was -88.63%, which is greater than GEM's maximum drawdown of -37.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSC and GEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSC	GEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.63%	-37.02%	-51.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-58.25%	-13.50%	-44.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.25%	-16.54%	-41.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.25%	-33.14%	-25.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.06%	-37.02%	-29.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.37%	-7.10%	-18.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.97%	-11.92%	-47.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.94%	4.59%	+12.35%

Volatility

GSC vs. GEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) is 5.12%, while Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) has a volatility of 8.16%. This indicates that GSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSC	GEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	8.16%	-3.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	125.43%	21.71%	+103.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	403.82%	23.81%	+380.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	218.83%	18.67%	+200.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	160.40%	19.36%	+141.04%

GSC vs. GEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSC has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than GEM's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSC vs. GEM - Dividend Comparison

GSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than GEM's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.91%	2.30%	2.58%	2.97%	2.96%	3.00%	1.63%	3.13%	2.08%	1.81%	1.98%	0.25%
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	0.13%	0.16%	0.66%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSC and GEM in my portfolio?

GSC and GEM have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSC or GEM?

GEM has higher volatility (8.16%) compared to GSC (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSC dropped -88.63% vs GEM's -37.02%.

Which ETF is better, GSC or GEM?

On 10-year performance, GSC leads with 12.89% vs 8.53% for GEM. On fees, GEM is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, GSC has been the lower-risk option at 5.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSC or GEM?

Over the 10-year period, GSC has performed better with a 12.89% return vs 8.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSC or GEM?

GEM is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSC.

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

GEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.91%, compared with 0.13% for GSC.

What is the main difference between GSC and GEM?

GSC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while GEM is Emerging Markets Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GSC and 0.45% for GEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.08), 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.