GSUS vs. RFDA

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

GSUS (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. GSUS is passively managed, while RFDA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSUS returned 12.83%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for RFDA. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

GSUS vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSUS achieves a 10.64% return, which is significantly lower than RFDA's 12.87% return.

GSUS

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: 8.87%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 1Y: 21.41%
• 3Y*: 20.59%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: —

RFDA

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 0.74%
• 6M: 12.31%
• YTD: 12.87%
• 1Y: 22.85%
• 3Y*: 17.99%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 13.41%

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

GSUS vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF	10.64%	18.11%	25.25%	27.74%	-19.82%	27.13%	34.82%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	12.87%	16.42%	20.12%	16.98%	-8.58%	25.94%	30.43%

Correlation

The correlation between GSUS and RFDA 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	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2020	0.89

The correlation between GSUS and RFDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GSUS vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GSUS	RFDA
Technology	39.3%	21.1%
Communication Services	11.1%	8.3%
Financial Services	10.8%	14.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	7.4%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.7%
Industrials	7.5%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	7.0%
Energy	3.1%	11.7%
Utilities	2.0%	4.8%
Basic Materials	1.6%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.6%	4.9%

Return for Risk

GSUS vs. RFDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSUS

GSUS Risk / Return Rank: 64
GSUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
GSUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
GSUS Omega Ratio Rank: 64
GSUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
GSUS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 82
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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.

	GSUS	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.98	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.75	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	4.21	-1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	14.94	-4.99

GSUS vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSUS and RFDA, 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

GSUS vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSUS drawdown since its inception was -25.62%, smaller than the maximum RFDA drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSUS and RFDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSUS	RFDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.62%	-34.60%	+8.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.24%	-5.45%	-3.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.07%	-19.35%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.62%	-19.35%	-6.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-0.67%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.21%	-3.71%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	1.53%	+0.63%

Volatility

GSUS vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF (GSUS) has a higher volatility of 3.77% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 2.41%. This indicates that GSUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSUS	RFDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	2.41%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.12%	8.80%	+1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	11.59%	+1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.17%	15.74%	+1.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	16.84%	+0.20%

GSUS vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSUS vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

GSUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than RFDA's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GSUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. Equity ETF	0.99%	1.04%	1.19%	1.32%	1.51%	1.13%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.77%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSUS and RFDA in my portfolio?

GSUS and RFDA 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 RFDA?

GSUS has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to RFDA (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSUS dropped -25.62% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

Which ETF is better, GSUS or RFDA?

On 5-year performance, GSUS leads with 12.83% vs 12.76% for RFDA. On fees, GSUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSUS or RFDA?

Over the 5-year period, GSUS has performed better with a 12.83% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSUS or RFDA?

GSUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for RFDA.

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

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.99% for GSUS.

What is the main difference between GSUS and RFDA?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for GSUS and 0.52% for RFDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.69), 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.