GSSC vs. IWM
GSSC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSSC returned 9.16%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for IWM. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. GSSC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
GSSC vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GSSC having a 20.74% return and IWM slightly higher at 20.84%.
GSSC
- 1D
- 1.91%
- 1M
- 0.62%
- 6M
- 14.82%
- YTD
- 20.74%
- 1Y
- 36.16%
- 3Y*
- 16.16%
- 5Y*
- 9.16%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 10.74%
IWM
- 1D
- 1.72%
- 1M
- -0.46%
- 6M
- 13.45%
- YTD
- 20.84%
- 1Y
- 39.26%
- 3Y*
- 16.48%
- 5Y*
- 7.64%
- 10Y*
- 10.63%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.80%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4.32M | $3.92M | $3.01M | |
| $6.77B | $6.36B | $7.44B |
GSSC vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSSC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF | 20.74% | 10.76% | 11.14% | 17.27% | -16.81% | 24.13% | 16.02% | 23.14% | -9.24% | 8.39% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 20.84% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 8.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSSC and IWM is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2017 | 0.96 |
The correlation between GSSC and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
GSSC vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
GSSC
IWM
Healthcare
Financial Services
Technology
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Energy
Consumer Defensive
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Utilities
Healthcare
GSSC
IWM
Financial Services
GSSC
IWM
Technology
GSSC
IWM
Industrials
GSSC
IWM
Consumer Cyclical
GSSC
IWM
Real Estate
GSSC
IWM
Energy
GSSC
IWM
Consumer Defensive
GSSC
IWM
Basic Materials
GSSC
IWM
Communication Services
GSSC
IWM
Utilities
GSSC
IWM
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Return for Risk
GSSC vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
GSSC
IWM
GSSC vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.
| GSSC | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.34 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.44 | 3.58 | -0.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.64 | 12.68 | -1.03 |
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Drawdowns
GSSC vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSSC drawdown since its inception was -41.38%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSSC and IWM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSSC | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.38% | -59.05% | +17.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.56% | -11.03% | +0.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.05% | -27.50% | +1.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.81% | -31.91% | +4.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.13% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.45% | -1.41% | +0.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.88% | -10.71% | +1.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.11% | 3.11% | 0.00% |
Volatility
GSSC vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have volatilities of 4.21% and 4.21%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| GSSC | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.21% | 4.21% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.26% | 14.13% | -0.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.47% | 19.36% | -0.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.18% | 22.50% | -1.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.91% | 23.02% | -0.11% |
GSSC vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSSC has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% 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
GSSC vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
GSSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than IWM's 0.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSSC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF | 1.03% | 1.17% | 1.42% | 1.33% | 1.31% | 1.00% | 0.94% | 1.24% | 1.21% | 0.73% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.90% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.35% | 1.48% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.26% | 1.40% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, GSSC and IWM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
IWM has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to GSSC (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSSC dropped -41.38% vs IWM's -59.05%.
On 5-year performance, GSSC leads with 9.16% vs 7.64% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GSSC has performed better with a 9.16% return vs 7.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GSSC.
GSSC has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.90% for IWM.
GSSC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. GSSC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GSSC and 0.19% for IWM.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.97), 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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