GSLC vs. BFFAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GSLC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) and BFFAX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America Class F-3) are both funds - GSLC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while BFFAX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 5 years, GSLC returned 12.17%/yr vs -0.09%/yr for BFFAX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GSLC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for BFFAX.

Performance

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) and American Funds The Bond Fund of America Class F-3 (BFFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSLC achieves a 7.16% return, which is significantly higher than BFFAX's 0.15% return.

GSLC

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 7.16%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 22.11%
• 3Y*: 19.74%
• 5Y*: 12.17%
• 10Y*: 14.79%

BFFAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 0.15%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: 4.07%
• 5Y*: -0.09%
• 10Y*: —

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

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	7.16%	16.17%	24.21%	25.09%	-18.71%	27.17%	19.02%	30.74%	-4.07%	20.56%
BFFAX American Funds The Bond Fund of America Class F-3	0.15%	7.54%	1.54%	4.39%	-13.00%	-0.97%	11.12%	8.17%	0.22%	3.07%

Correlation

The correlation between GSLC and BFFAX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.02

Over the past year, GSLC and BFFAX have become more correlated (0.32) than their long-term average of 0.02, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

GSLC vs. BFFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSLC

GSLC Risk / Return Rank: 54
GSLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
GSLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
GSLC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GSLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
GSLC Martin Ratio Rank: 59

BFFAX

BFFAX Risk / Return Rank: 20
BFFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
BFFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
BFFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
BFFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
BFFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) and American Funds The Bond Fund of America Class F-3 (BFFAX). 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.

	GSLC	BFFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.22	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	1.85	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.21	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	1.55	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.16	4.36	+5.80

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is higher than the BFFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSLC and BFFAX, 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

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSLC drawdown since its inception was -33.69%, which is greater than BFFAX's maximum drawdown of -17.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSLC and BFFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSLC	BFFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.69%	-17.74%	-15.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.49%	-3.08%	-6.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.66%	-6.10%	-12.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.90%	-17.74%	-7.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-1.65%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.38%	-4.67%	+0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	1.09%	+1.09%

Volatility

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to American Funds The Bond Fund of America Class F-3 (BFFAX) at 1.23%. This indicates that GSLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BFFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSLC	BFFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	1.23%	+3.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.60%	2.91%	+6.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	3.91%	+8.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.70%	5.97%	+10.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.73%	4.99%	+12.74%

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSLC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BFFAX's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GSLC vs. BFFAX - Dividend Comparison

GSLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than BFFAX's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFFAX American Funds The Bond Fund of America Class F-3	4.50%	4.48%	4.67%	3.28%	2.46%	1.98%	5.38%	3.80%	2.72%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	0.94%	1.00%	1.11%	1.38%	1.61%	1.06%	1.35%	1.54%	1.89%	1.69%	1.69%	0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSLC and BFFAX in my portfolio?

GSLC and BFFAX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSLC or BFFAX?

GSLC has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to BFFAX (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSLC dropped -33.69% vs BFFAX's -17.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.22), 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.