GSSC vs. SQLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

GSSC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF) and SQLV (Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value 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 SQLV is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton. GSSC is passively managed, while SQLV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSSC returned 9.16%/yr vs 8.73%/yr for SQLV. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GSSC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SQLV.

Performance

GSSC vs. SQLV - 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 Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSSC achieves a 20.74% return, which is significantly lower than SQLV's 26.53% return.

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%

SQLV

• 1D: 2.40%
• 1M: 3.42%
• 6M: 19.47%
• YTD: 26.53%
• 1Y: 40.94%
• 3Y*: 13.50%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.20%

*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)
GSSC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF	$4.32M	$3.92M	$3.01M
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	$1.21M	$631.84K	$254.10K

GSSC vs. SQLV - 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%	8.11%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	26.53%	2.50%	4.76%	21.21%	-12.86%	37.14%	7.13%	17.41%	-10.55%	8.84%

Correlation

The correlation between GSSC and SQLV is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2017	0.76

The correlation between GSSC and SQLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.93 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GSSC vs. SQLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSSC	SQLV
Healthcare	21.1%	18.7%
Financial Services	17.0%	19.0%
Technology	15.6%	15.9%
Industrials	13.2%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	13.8%
Real Estate	5.2%	0.9%
Energy	5.1%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	7.4%
Basic Materials	3.7%	3.8%
Communication Services	2.6%	6.0%
Utilities	2.2%	0.2%

Return for Risk

GSSC vs. SQLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GSSC

GSSC Risk / Return Rank: 81
GSSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GSSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
GSSC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
GSSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
GSSC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SQLV

SQLV Risk / Return Rank: 90
SQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GSSC vs. SQLV - 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 Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). 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	SQLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.38	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	3.46	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.40	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	4.65	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.64	14.61	-2.97

GSSC vs. SQLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the SQLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSSC and SQLV, 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

GSSC vs. SQLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSSC drawdown since its inception was -41.38%, smaller than the maximum SQLV drawdown of -48.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSSC and SQLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSSC	SQLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.38%	-48.34%	+6.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.56%	-8.84%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.05%	-26.86%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.81%	-26.86%	-0.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	0.00%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.88%	-8.80%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.81%	+0.30%

Volatility

GSSC vs. SQLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) is 4.21%, while Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that GSSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSSC	SQLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	4.92%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.26%	11.82%	+1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.47%	17.32%	+1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.18%	20.90%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.91%	23.25%	-0.34%

GSSC vs. SQLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSSC has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SQLV's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSSC vs. SQLV - Dividend Comparison

GSSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than SQLV's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	0.93%	1.15%	1.11%	1.09%	1.24%	1.12%	1.22%	1.20%	1.08%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSSC and SQLV in my portfolio?

GSSC and SQLV have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSSC or SQLV?

SQLV has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to GSSC (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSSC dropped -41.38% vs SQLV's -48.34%.

Which ETF is better, GSSC or SQLV?

On 5-year performance, GSSC leads with 9.16% vs 8.73% for SQLV. On fees, GSSC is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GSSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSSC or SQLV?

Over the 5-year period, GSSC has performed better with a 9.16% return vs 8.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSSC or SQLV?

GSSC is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SQLV.

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

GSSC has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.93% for SQLV.

What is the main difference between GSSC and SQLV?

GSSC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SQLV is Quality Factor. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GSSC and 0.60% for SQLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SQLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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.