GSWO vs. AQLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSWO (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF) and AQLT (iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF) are both Global Equities funds - GSWO tracks the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Low Vol Plus Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net while AQLT tracks the MSCI ACWI Quality Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GSWO returned 20.17% vs 29.00% for AQLT. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSWO charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for AQLT.

Performance

GSWO vs. AQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF (GSWO) and iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSWO achieves a 11.00% return, which is significantly lower than AQLT's 12.40% return.

GSWO

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 11.00%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 20.17%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AQLT

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 12.40%
• 6M: 12.67%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GSWO vs. AQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GSWO Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF	11.00%	18.97%	-2.97%
AQLT iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF	12.40%	17.65%	-3.14%

Correlation

The correlation between GSWO and AQLT is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2024	0.83

The correlation between GSWO and AQLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GSWO vs. AQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSWO

GSWO Risk / Return Rank: 56
GSWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
GSWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
GSWO Omega Ratio Rank: 56
GSWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
GSWO Martin Ratio Rank: 61

AQLT

AQLT Risk / Return Rank: 64
AQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
AQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
AQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 64
AQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
AQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

GSWO vs. AQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF (GSWO) and iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT). 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.

	GSWO	AQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.18	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.08	-0.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	2.73	-0.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	12.25	-1.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSWO vs. AQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the AQLT Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSWO and AQLT, 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

	GSWO	AQLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.18	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	1.09	-0.10

Drawdowns

GSWO vs. AQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSWO drawdown since its inception was -17.77%, which is greater than AQLT's maximum drawdown of -16.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSWO and AQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSWO	AQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.77%	-16.84%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-10.68%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-0.37%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.25%	-2.32%	-0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	2.37%	-0.51%

Volatility

GSWO vs. AQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF (GSWO) is 3.22%, while iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) has a volatility of 3.54%. This indicates that GSWO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSWO	AQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.22%	3.54%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	10.82%	-1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.75%	13.39%	-2.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.96%	16.99%	-4.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.96%	16.99%	-4.03%

GSWO vs. AQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSWO has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than AQLT's 0.20% 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

GSWO vs. AQLT - Dividend Comparison

GSWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, more than AQLT's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AQLT iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF	0.93%	1.05%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%
GSWO Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF	1.61%	1.74%	1.75%	2.06%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSWO and AQLT in my portfolio?

GSWO and AQLT have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSWO or AQLT?

AQLT has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to GSWO (3.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSWO dropped -17.77% vs AQLT's -16.84%.

Which ETF is better, GSWO or AQLT?

On 1-year performance, AQLT leads with 29.00% vs 20.17% for GSWO. On fees, AQLT is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GSWO has been the lower-risk option at 3.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSWO or AQLT?

Over the 1-year period, AQLT has performed better with a 29.00% return vs 20.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSWO or AQLT?

AQLT is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for GSWO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSWO or AQLT?

GSWO has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.93% for AQLT.

What is the main difference between GSWO and AQLT?

GSWO tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Low Vol Plus Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while AQLT tracks MSCI ACWI Quality Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for GSWO and 0.20% for AQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.88), 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.