GSIFX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSIFX (Goldman Sachs International Equity ESG Fund Class A) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - GSIFX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Goldman Sachs, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, GSIFX returned 9.42%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GSIFX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GSIFX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs International Equity ESG Fund Class A (GSIFX) 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, GSIFX achieves a 6.83% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, GSIFX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.42%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

GSIFX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 6.83%
• 6M: 9.07%
• 1Y: 13.85%
• 3Y*: 11.56%
• 5Y*: 6.27%
• 10Y*: 9.42%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

GSIFX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSIFX Goldman Sachs International Equity ESG Fund Class A	6.83%	25.51%	0.33%	15.44%	-17.69%	16.23%	22.89%	27.68%	-14.85%	25.29%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GSIFX and SPY is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.61

The correlation between GSIFX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GSIFX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSIFX

GSIFX Risk / Return Rank: 12
GSIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
GSIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
GSIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GSIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
GSIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

GSIFX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs International Equity ESG Fund Class A (GSIFX) 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.

	GSIFX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	2.38	-1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	3.24	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.43	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.16	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.24	14.72	-10.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSIFX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSIFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSIFX 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

	GSIFX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	2.38	-1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.82	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.87	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.59	-0.26

Drawdowns

GSIFX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSIFX drawdown since its inception was -59.25%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSIFX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSIFX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.25%	-55.19%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.15%	-8.88%	-3.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.83%	-18.76%	+4.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.94%	-24.50%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-33.72%	-1.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.70%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.23%	-9.05%	-6.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	1.91%	+1.27%

Volatility

GSIFX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs International Equity ESG Fund Class A (GSIFX) has a higher volatility of 4.89% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that GSIFX'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

	GSIFX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	2.84%	+2.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.38%	8.90%	+3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.46%	11.83%	+3.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	17.05%	-0.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	17.94%	-0.54%

GSIFX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSIFX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSIFX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GSIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSIFX Goldman Sachs International Equity ESG Fund Class A	2.04%	2.18%	2.30%	1.37%	0.82%	6.29%	0.00%	1.67%	1.45%	1.25%	2.79%	1.16%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 GSIFX and SPY in my portfolio?

GSIFX and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSIFX or SPY?

GSIFX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSIFX dropped -59.25% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.88), 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.