GSSC vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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 7.20%/yr vs 6.11%/yr for IWM. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GSSC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

GSSC vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSSC achieves a 13.55% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return.

GSSC

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 13.55%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: 16.72%
• 5Y*: 7.20%
• 10Y*: —

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

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	13.55%	10.76%	11.14%	17.27%	-16.81%	24.13%	16.02%	23.14%	-9.24%	8.77%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	9.16%

Correlation

The correlation between GSSC and IWM is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 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
Industrials	17.7%	17.1%
Financial Services	16.9%	15.8%
Healthcare	16.8%	15.8%
Technology	16.1%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	7.8%
Energy	4.8%	6.0%
Real Estate	4.3%	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	2.1%
Basic Materials	3.9%	4.5%
Communication Services	2.7%	2.0%
Utilities	2.2%	3.0%

Return for Risk

GSSC vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSSC

GSSC Risk / Return Rank: 51
GSSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
GSSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
GSSC Omega Ratio Rank: 44
GSSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
GSSC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

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.

	GSSC	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	2.05	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	2.85	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.34	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.56	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.64	12.64	-3.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSSC vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSSC and IWM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GSSC	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	2.05	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.27	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.37	+0.08

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSSC	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-1.49%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-10.77%	+1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	3.10%	+0.06%

Volatility

GSSC vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) is 5.31%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that GSSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSSC	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	5.75%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.82%	13.53%	-0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.58%	19.20%	-0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.26%	22.52%	-1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.02%	23.04%	-0.02%

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 1.07%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSSC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF	1.07%	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	0.88%	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

Can I hold both GSSC and IWM in my portfolio?

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.

Which is riskier, GSSC or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to GSSC (5.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSSC dropped -41.38% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, GSSC or IWM?

On 5-year performance, GSSC leads with 7.20% vs 6.11% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, GSSC has been the lower-risk option at 5.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSSC or IWM?

Over the 5-year period, GSSC has performed better with a 7.20% return vs 6.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSSC or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GSSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSSC or IWM?

GSSC has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between GSSC and 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.65), 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.