GSLC vs. ESN
GSLC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - GSLC tracks the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GSLC returned 18.10% vs 27.64% for ESN. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GSLC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.
Performance
GSLC vs. ESN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSLC achieves a 8.44% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 16.65% return.
GSLC
- 1D
- 0.58%
- 1M
- 0.68%
- 6M
- 7.66%
- YTD
- 8.44%
- 1Y
- 18.10%
- 3Y*
- 18.11%
- 5Y*
- 11.52%
- 10Y*
- 14.27%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.01%
ESN
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 12.11%
- YTD
- 16.65%
- 1Y
- 27.64%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 16.50%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.17M | $1.60M | $1.63M | |
| $58.04M | $61.34M | $41.47M |
GSLC vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF | 8.44% | 16.17% | 0.20% |
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF | 16.65% | 16.52% | -3.53% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSLC and ESN is 0.75, 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. | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024 | 0.78 |
The correlation between GSLC and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GSLC vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank
GSLC
ESN
GSLC vs. ESN - 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 Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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 | ESN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.46 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.72 | 4.12 | -2.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.26 | 16.52 | -9.26 |
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Drawdowns
GSLC vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSLC drawdown since its inception was -33.69%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSLC and ESN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSLC | ESN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.69% | -13.60% | -20.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.49% | -6.42% | -3.07% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.66% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.90% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.69% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.72% | -0.53% | -0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.35% | -1.81% | -2.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.25% | 1.60% | +0.65% |
Volatility
GSLC vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) has a higher volatility of 3.06% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.65%. This indicates that GSLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GSLC | ESN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.06% | 2.65% | +0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.69% | 7.51% | +2.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.44% | 9.98% | +2.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.71% | 13.04% | +3.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.68% | 13.04% | +4.64% |
GSLC vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSLC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
GSLC vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison
GSLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, more than ESN's 0.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF | 0.78% | 0.91% | 0.76% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
GSLC and ESN 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.
GSLC has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to ESN (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSLC dropped -33.69% vs ESN's -13.60%.
On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 27.64% vs 18.10% for GSLC. On fees, GSLC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 27.64% return vs 18.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSLC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.
GSLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.78% for ESN.
GSLC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for GSLC and 0.70% for ESN.
ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.31), 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.
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