GSC vs. HSMV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GSC (Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF) and HSMV (First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSC returned 21.12%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for HSMV. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GSC charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for HSMV.

Performance

GSC vs. HSMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) and First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSC achieves a 15.94% return, which is significantly higher than HSMV's 3.62% return.

GSC

• 1D: 1.50%
• 1M: 4.33%
• YTD: 15.94%
• 6M: 16.68%
• 1Y: 29.31%
• 3Y*: 26.33%
• 5Y*: 21.12%
• 10Y*: 10.86%

HSMV

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -2.40%
• YTD: 3.62%
• 6M: 3.66%
• 1Y: 5.31%
• 3Y*: 8.54%
• 5Y*: 3.86%
• 10Y*: —

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

GSC vs. HSMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	15.94%	6.29%	13.79%	33.52%	28.40%	58.09%	48.00%
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	3.62%	1.57%	13.17%	5.01%	-9.44%	23.72%	34.70%

Correlation

The correlation between GSC and HSMV is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2020	0.28

Over the past year, GSC and HSMV have become more correlated (0.54) than their long-term average of 0.28, meaning their price movements have been converging.

GSC vs. HSMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSC	HSMV
Technology	23.6%	1.7%
Industrials	17.5%	15.0%
Financial Services	16.5%	16.6%
Healthcare	12.4%	4.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	7.8%
Basic Materials	6.4%	5.4%
Energy	4.2%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	7.9%
Utilities	3.1%	11.9%
Real Estate	2.6%	23.8%
Communication Services	0.9%	2.3%

Return for Risk

GSC vs. HSMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSC

GSC Risk / Return Rank: 45
GSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
GSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
GSC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
GSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
GSC Martin Ratio Rank: 17

HSMV

HSMV Risk / Return Rank: 17
HSMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
HSMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
HSMV Omega Ratio Rank: 16
HSMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
HSMV Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

GSC vs. HSMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) and First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV). 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.

	GSC	HSMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.07	0.51	-0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	0.83	+2.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.99	1.09	+0.90
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	0.60	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	1.84	-0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSC vs. HSMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSC Sharpe Ratio is 0.07, which is lower than the HSMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSC and HSMV, 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

	GSC	HSMV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07	0.51	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.26	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.00	0.68	-0.68

Drawdowns

GSC vs. HSMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSC drawdown since its inception was -88.63%, which is greater than HSMV's maximum drawdown of -19.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSC and HSMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSC	HSMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.63%	-19.16%	-69.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-58.25%	-7.83%	-50.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.25%	-15.45%	-42.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.25%	-19.16%	-39.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.14%	-3.89%	-27.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-59.28%	-5.62%	-53.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.91%	2.57%	+14.34%

Volatility

GSC vs. HSMV - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) has a higher volatility of 5.99% compared to First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) at 2.91%. This indicates that GSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HSMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSC	HSMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.99%	2.91%	+3.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	203.12%	7.28%	+195.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	403.79%	10.37%	+393.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	218.93%	15.00%	+203.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	160.41%	16.06%	+144.35%

GSC vs. HSMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSC has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than HSMV's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSC vs. HSMV - Dividend Comparison

GSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than HSMV's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	0.17%	0.16%	0.66%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	1.99%	2.01%	1.43%	1.43%	1.26%	0.76%	0.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSC and HSMV in my portfolio?

GSC and HSMV 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, GSC or HSMV?

GSC has higher volatility (5.99%) compared to HSMV (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSC dropped -88.63% vs HSMV's -19.16%.

Which ETF is better, GSC or HSMV?

On 5-year performance, GSC leads with 21.12% vs 3.86% for HSMV. On fees, GSC is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, HSMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSC or HSMV?

Over the 5-year period, GSC has performed better with a 21.12% return vs 3.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSC or HSMV?

GSC is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for HSMV.

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

HSMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.17% for GSC.

What is the main difference between GSC and HSMV?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GSC and 0.80% for HSMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HSMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs 0.07), 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.