GSUS vs. GSSC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GSUS (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF) and GSSC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity 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 GSSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSUS returned 14.02%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for GSSC. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GSUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for GSSC.

Performance

GSUS vs. GSSC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSUS achieves a 11.50% return, which is significantly lower than GSSC's 14.94% return.

GSUS

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 5.64%
• YTD: 11.50%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 23.05%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: —

GSSC

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 16.47%
• 1Y: 33.76%
• 3Y*: 17.19%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: —

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

GSUS vs. GSSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF	11.50%	18.11%	25.25%	27.74%	-19.82%	27.13%	34.82%
GSSC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF	14.94%	10.76%	11.14%	17.27%	-16.81%	24.13%	56.22%

Correlation

The correlation between GSUS and GSSC is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2020	0.78

The correlation between GSUS and GSSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

GSUS vs. GSSC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSUS	GSSC
Technology	35.6%	16.1%
Communication Services	11.9%	2.7%
Financial Services	11.7%	16.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.6%
Healthcare	8.7%	16.8%
Industrials	8.0%	17.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.0%
Energy	3.6%	4.8%
Utilities	2.2%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.7%	4.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	3.9%

Return for Risk

GSUS vs. GSSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSUS

GSUS Risk / Return Rank: 73
GSUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
GSUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
GSUS Omega Ratio Rank: 75
GSUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
GSUS Martin Ratio Rank: 76

GSSC

GSSC Risk / Return Rank: 56
GSSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
GSSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
GSSC Omega Ratio Rank: 49
GSSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
GSSC Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. GSSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC). 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	GSSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.83	+0.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	2.59	+0.77
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.31	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	3.21	+0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.87	10.74	+4.14
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. GSSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the GSSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSUS and GSSC, 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	GSSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	1.83	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.36	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	0.45	+0.68

Drawdowns

GSUS vs. GSSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSUS drawdown since its inception was -25.62%, smaller than the maximum GSSC drawdown of -41.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSUS and GSSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSUS	GSSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.62%	-41.38%	+15.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.24%	-10.56%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.07%	-26.05%	+6.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.62%	-27.81%	+2.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.28%	-9.03%	+3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	3.16%	-1.13%

Volatility

GSUS vs. GSSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) is 2.78%, while Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) has a volatility of 5.22%. This indicates that GSUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSUS	GSSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.78%	5.22%	-2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	12.80%	-3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	18.53%	-6.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.05%	21.25%	-4.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	23.02%	-5.95%

GSUS vs. GSSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than GSSC's 0.20% 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. GSSC - Dividend Comparison

GSUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than GSSC's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSSC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF	1.06%	1.17%	1.42%	1.33%	1.31%	1.00%	0.94%	1.24%	1.21%	0.73%
GSUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.04%	1.19%	1.32%	1.51%	1.13%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSUS and GSSC in my portfolio?

GSUS and GSSC have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSUS or GSSC?

GSSC has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to GSUS (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSUS dropped -25.62% vs GSSC's -41.38%.

Which ETF is better, GSUS or GSSC?

On 5-year performance, GSUS leads with 14.02% vs 7.58% for GSSC. On fees, GSUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, GSUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSUS or GSSC?

Over the 5-year period, GSUS has performed better with a 14.02% return vs 7.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSUS or GSSC?

GSUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GSSC.

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

GSSC has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.97% for GSUS.

What is the main difference between GSUS and GSSC?

GSUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while GSSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. GSUS tracks Solactive GBS United States Large & Mid Cap Index, while GSSC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Small Cap Equity Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for GSUS and 0.20% for GSSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.83), 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.