GSC vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GSC (Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. GSC is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSC returned 10.86%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GSC charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GSC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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 SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, GSC has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.86%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized 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%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

GSC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	15.94%	6.29%	13.79%	33.52%	28.40%	58.09%	-33.08%	29.69%	-19.52%	2.90%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GSC and SPY is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2007	0.30

Over the past year, GSC and SPY have become more correlated (0.66) than their long-term average of 0.30, meaning their price movements have been converging.

GSC vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSC	SPY
Technology	23.6%	35.9%
Industrials	17.5%	7.8%
Financial Services	16.5%	11.8%
Healthcare	12.4%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	10.3%
Basic Materials	6.4%	1.8%
Energy	4.2%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	4.8%
Utilities	3.1%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.6%	1.9%
Communication Services	0.9%	11.3%

Return for Risk

GSC vs. SPY — 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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.07	2.52	-2.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	3.42	+0.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.99	1.46	+0.53
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	3.42	-2.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	15.93	-14.19
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSC Sharpe Ratio is 0.07, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSC and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07	2.52	-2.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.84	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07	0.87	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.00	0.59	-0.59

Drawdowns

GSC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSC drawdown since its inception was -88.63%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.63%	-55.19%	-33.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-58.25%	-8.88%	-49.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.25%	-18.76%	-39.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.25%	-24.50%	-33.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.06%	-33.72%	-32.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.14%	0.00%	-31.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-59.28%	-9.05%	-50.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.91%	1.91%	+15.00%

Volatility

GSC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF (GSC) has a higher volatility of 5.99% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that GSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.99%	2.75%	+3.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	203.12%	8.89%	+194.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	403.79%	11.81%	+391.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	218.93%	17.05%	+201.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	160.41%	17.94%	+142.47%

GSC vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSC has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, less than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSC Goldman Sachs Small Cap Core Equity ETF	0.17%	0.16%	0.66%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSC and SPY in my portfolio?

GSC and SPY have a correlation of 0.66, 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 SPY?

GSC has higher volatility (5.99%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSC dropped -88.63% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, GSC or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 10.86% for GSC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSC or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 10.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSC or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSC.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.17% for GSC.

What is the main difference between GSC and SPY?

GSC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GSC and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 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.