GSLC vs. IAU
GSLC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) 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 IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSLC returned 14.04%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for IAU. Their 0.05 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GSLC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
GSLC vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSLC achieves a 7.14% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -6.09% return. Over the past 10 years, GSLC has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 14.04%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 11.59% 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%
IAU
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- 6M
- -18.72%
- YTD
- -6.09%
- 1Y
- 21.17%
- 3Y*
- 26.99%
- 5Y*
- 17.33%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.72%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $78.02M | $62.36M | $41.68M | |
| $367.78M | $389.80M | $488.83M |
GSLC vs. IAU - 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% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -6.09% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSLC and IAU is 0.29, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2015 | 0.05 |
Over the past year, GSLC and IAU have become more correlated (0.29) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
GSLC vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
GSLC
IAU
GSLC vs. IAU - 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 Gold Trust (IAU). 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 | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.15 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.54 | 0.76 | +0.77 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.49 | 1.72 | +4.77 |
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Drawdowns
GSLC vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSLC drawdown since its inception was -33.69%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSLC and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSLC | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.69% | -45.14% | +11.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.49% | -26.36% | +16.87% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.66% | -26.36% | +7.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.90% | -26.36% | +1.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.69% | -26.36% | -7.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.91% | -24.95% | +23.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.36% | -16.01% | +11.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.24% | 11.65% | -9.41% |
Volatility
GSLC vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) is 2.67%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 6.07%. This indicates that GSLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GSLC | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.67% | 6.07% | -3.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.52% | 23.78% | -14.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.31% | 27.88% | -15.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.69% | 18.39% | -1.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.67% | 16.06% | +1.61% |
GSLC vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSLC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% 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. IAU - Dividend Comparison
GSLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GSLC and IAU have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to GSLC (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSLC dropped -33.69% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, GSLC leads with 14.04% vs 11.59% for IAU. On fees, GSLC is cheaper at 0.09% 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.
Over the 10-year period, GSLC has performed better with a 14.04% return vs 11.59%. 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 0.25% for IAU.
GSLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
GSLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IAU is Gold. GSLC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for GSLC and 0.25% for IAU.
GSLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 0.72), 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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