GSLC vs. DGRO

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

GSLC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSLC returned 14.04%/yr vs 13.29%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GSLC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

GSLC vs. DGRO - 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 iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSLC achieves a 7.14% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 13.15% return. Over the past 10 years, GSLC has outperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 14.04%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively lower 13.29% annualized return.

GSLC

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 1.27%
• 6M: 6.47%
• YTD: 7.14%
• 1Y: 14.00%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: 14.04%
• ALL TIME*: 13.91%

DGRO

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 3.14%
• 6M: 10.33%
• YTD: 13.15%
• 1Y: 20.83%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 11.10%
• 10Y*: 13.29%
• ALL TIME*: 12.47%

*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)
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	$96.40M	$101.84M	$109.07M
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	$78.02M	$62.36M	$41.68M

GSLC vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	7.14%	16.17%	24.21%	25.09%	-18.71%	27.17%	19.02%	30.74%	-4.07%	22.49%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	13.15%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GSLC and DGRO is 0.63, 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.	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2015	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between GSLC and DGRO has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

GSLC vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSLC	DGRO
Technology	37.8%	17.3%
Financial Services	10.9%	20.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	6.5%
Communication Services	10.2%	0.1%
Healthcare	9.1%	17.9%
Industrials	8.5%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	11.9%
Energy	2.9%	4.8%
Utilities	2.2%	7.3%
Basic Materials	1.4%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.2%	-

Return for Risk

GSLC vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSLC

GSLC Risk / Return Rank: 48
GSLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
GSLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GSLC Omega Ratio Rank: 47
GSLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
GSLC Martin Ratio Rank: 55

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 89
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. DGRO - 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 iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	2.25	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.68	3.28	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.41	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.54	3.30	-1.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.49	12.72	-6.22

GSLC vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSLC and DGRO, 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. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSLC drawdown since its inception was -33.69%, roughly equal to the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSLC and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSLC	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.69%	-35.10%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.49%	-6.47%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.66%	-14.03%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.90%	-19.31%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.69%	-35.10%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.91%	0.00%	-1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.36%	-3.41%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.68%	+0.56%

Volatility

GSLC vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) have volatilities of 2.67% and 2.81%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSLC	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.67%	2.81%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.52%	6.96%	+2.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.31%	9.52%	+2.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.69%	13.78%	+2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.67%	16.57%	+1.10%

GSLC vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSLC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, 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. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

GSLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than DGRO's 1.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.90%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	0.95%	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 DGRO in my portfolio?

GSLC and DGRO have a correlation of 0.63, 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 DGRO?

DGRO has higher volatility (2.81%) compared to GSLC (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSLC dropped -33.69% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, GSLC or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, GSLC leads with 14.04% vs 13.29% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GSLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSLC or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, GSLC has performed better with a 14.04% return vs 13.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSLC or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for GSLC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSLC or DGRO?

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.90%, compared with 0.95% for GSLC.

What is the main difference between GSLC and DGRO?

GSLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. GSLC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for GSLC and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.18), 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.