GSSC vs. VB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSSC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap 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 VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSSC returned 7.20%/yr vs 7.11%/yr for VB. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSSC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.

Performance

GSSC vs. VB - 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 Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GSSC having a 13.55% return and VB slightly higher at 14.16%.

GSSC

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

VB

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 14.16%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 28.82%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: 7.11%
• 10Y*: 11.30%

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

GSSC vs. VB - 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%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.16%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	10.12%

Correlation

The correlation between GSSC and VB is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2017	0.95

The correlation between GSSC and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

GSSC vs. VB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSSC	VB
Industrials	17.7%	20.8%
Financial Services	16.9%	12.6%
Healthcare	16.8%	11.1%
Technology	16.1%	17.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	11.3%
Energy	4.8%	4.7%
Real Estate	4.3%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	3.4%
Basic Materials	3.9%	4.8%
Communication Services	2.7%	3.1%
Utilities	2.2%	3.3%

Return for Risk

GSSC vs. VB — 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

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 56
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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. VB - 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 Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.78	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	2.56	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.31	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.22	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.64	11.87	-2.23
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. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSSC and VB, 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	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.78	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.34	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.44	+0.01

Drawdowns

GSSC vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSSC drawdown since its inception was -41.38%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSSC and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSSC	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.38%	-59.56%	+18.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.56%	-8.98%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.05%	-25.36%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.81%	-28.15%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-0.65%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-8.44%	-0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	2.43%	+0.73%

Volatility

GSSC vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) has a higher volatility of 5.31% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.42%. This indicates that GSSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSSC	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	4.42%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.82%	11.72%	+1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.58%	16.28%	+2.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.26%	20.74%	+0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.02%	21.42%	+1.60%

GSSC vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSSC has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% 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. VB - Dividend Comparison

GSSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than VB's 1.19% 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%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSSC and VB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, GSSC and VB 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 VB?

GSSC has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to VB (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSSC dropped -41.38% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which ETF is better, GSSC or VB?

On 5-year performance, GSSC leads with 7.20% vs 7.11% for VB. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VB has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSSC or VB?

Over the 5-year period, GSSC has performed better with a 7.20% return vs 7.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSSC or VB?

VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GSSC.

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

VB has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 1.07% for GSSC.

What is the main difference between GSSC and VB?

GSSC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. GSSC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity Index, while VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GSSC and 0.05% for VB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 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.