GSST vs. SPTU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GSST (Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF) and SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. GSST is actively managed, while SPTU is passively managed. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GSST charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPTU.

Performance

GSST vs. SPTU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GSST having a 1.74% return and SPTU slightly lower at 1.66%.

GSST

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.74%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.48%
• 5Y*: 3.78%
• 10Y*: —

SPTU

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.66%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GSST vs. SPTU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GSST Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.74%	1.00%
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.66%	0.87%

Correlation

The correlation between GSST and SPTU is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2025	0.30

Return for Risk

GSST vs. SPTU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSST

GSST Risk / Return Rank: 99
GSST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Omega Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Martin Ratio Rank: 99

SPTU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

GSST vs. SPTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU). 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.

	GSST	SPTU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.72	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	16.01	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.77	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	29.31	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	180.23	—	—

Drawdowns

GSST vs. SPTU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSST drawdown since its inception was -3.51%, which is greater than SPTU's maximum drawdown of -0.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSST and SPTU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSST	SPTU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-0.04%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.16%	-0.00%	-0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GSST	SPTU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.14%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.41%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59%	0.33%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.63%	0.33%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.86%	0.33%	+0.53%

GSST vs. SPTU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSST has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTU'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

GSST vs. SPTU - Dividend Comparison

GSST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.31%, more than SPTU's 2.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GSST Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.31%	4.56%	5.45%	4.98%	1.97%	0.71%	1.12%	1.66%
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	2.36%	0.89%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSST and SPTU in my portfolio?

GSST and SPTU have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GSST or SPTU?

On fees, SPTU is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSST or SPTU?

SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for GSST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSST or SPTU?

GSST has the higher dividend yield at 4.31%, compared with 2.36% for SPTU.

What is the main difference between GSST and SPTU?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for GSST and 0.05% for SPTU.