GSUS vs. DFAC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GSUS (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF) and DFAC (Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Solactive GBS United States Large & Mid Cap Index, while DFAC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. GSUS is passively managed, while DFAC is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GSUS returned 22.96%/yr vs 21.06%/yr for DFAC. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GSUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for DFAC.

Performance

GSUS vs. DFAC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSUS achieves a 11.17% return, which is significantly lower than DFAC's 12.69% return.

GSUS

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 11.17%
• 6M: 10.97%
• 1Y: 28.32%
• 3Y*: 22.96%
• 5Y*: 13.74%
• 10Y*: —

DFAC

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 12.69%
• 6M: 12.80%
• 1Y: 29.91%
• 3Y*: 21.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GSUS vs. DFAC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GSUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF	11.17%	18.11%	25.25%	27.74%	-19.82%	12.08%
DFAC Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF	12.69%	15.66%	19.61%	21.96%	-14.93%	9.51%

Correlation

The correlation between GSUS and DFAC is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.95

The correlation between GSUS and DFAC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

GSUS vs. DFAC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSUS	DFAC
Technology	35.6%	28.4%
Communication Services	11.9%	8.4%
Financial Services	11.7%	14.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.7%
Healthcare	8.7%	9.0%
Industrials	8.0%	12.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.6%	5.9%
Utilities	2.2%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	0.2%
Basic Materials	1.7%	3.2%

Return for Risk

GSUS vs. DFAC — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSUS

GSUS Risk / Return Rank: 72
GSUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
GSUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
GSUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
GSUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GSUS Martin Ratio Rank: 74

DFAC

DFAC Risk / Return Rank: 76
DFAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
DFAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
DFAC Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DFAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
DFAC Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

GSUS vs. DFAC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC). 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.

	GSUS	DFAC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.47	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	3.41	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.44	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.54	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.98	15.71	-1.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSUS vs. DFAC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the DFAC Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSUS and DFAC, 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

	GSUS	DFAC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.47	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	0.71	+0.41

Drawdowns

GSUS vs. DFAC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSUS drawdown since its inception was -25.62%, which is greater than DFAC's maximum drawdown of -23.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSUS and DFAC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSUS	DFAC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.62%	-23.12%	-2.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.24%	-8.49%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.07%	-20.02%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	0.00%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.27%	-5.45%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	1.91%	+0.12%

Volatility

GSUS vs. DFAC - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) have volatilities of 2.86% and 2.93%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	GSUS	DFAC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	2.93%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.05%	8.98%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	12.15%	-0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.04%	17.12%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	17.12%	-0.06%

GSUS vs. DFAC - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAC's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GSUS vs. DFAC - Dividend Comparison

GSUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, more than DFAC's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAC Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF	0.90%	0.97%	1.03%	1.20%	1.50%	0.88%	0.00%
GSUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF	0.98%	1.04%	1.19%	1.32%	1.51%	1.13%	0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSUS and DFAC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, GSUS and DFAC 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, GSUS or DFAC?

DFAC has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to GSUS (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSUS dropped -25.62% vs DFAC's -23.12%.

Which ETF is better, GSUS or DFAC?

On 3-year performance, GSUS leads with 22.96% vs 21.06% for DFAC. On fees, GSUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSUS or DFAC?

Over the 3-year period, GSUS has performed better with a 22.96% return vs 21.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSUS or DFAC?

GSUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for DFAC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSUS or DFAC?

GSUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.90% for DFAC.

What is the main difference between GSUS and DFAC?

GSUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while DFAC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for GSUS and 0.17% for DFAC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.37), 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.