GSWO vs. SDG
GSWO (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF) and SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) are both Global Equities funds - GSWO tracks the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Low Vol Plus Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net while SDG tracks the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GSWO returned 17.48%/yr vs 6.40%/yr for SDG. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GSWO charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SDG.
Performance
GSWO vs. SDG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSWO achieves a 8.64% return, which is significantly higher than SDG's 5.30% return.
GSWO
- 1D
- -1.71%
- 1M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- 8.64%
- 6M
- 8.14%
- 1Y
- 17.89%
- 3Y*
- 17.48%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SDG
- 1D
- -1.89%
- 1M
- -2.71%
- YTD
- 5.30%
- 6M
- 4.80%
- 1Y
- 20.41%
- 3Y*
- 6.40%
- 5Y*
- -0.46%
- 10Y*
- 8.59%
GSWO vs. SDG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSWO Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF | 8.64% | 18.97% | 15.29% | 16.28% | -6.15% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 5.30% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -5.79% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSWO and SDG is 0.71, 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 | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2022 | 0.72 |
The correlation between GSWO and SDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GSWO vs. SDG — Risk / Return Rank
GSWO
SDG
GSWO vs. SDG - 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 Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG). 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.
| GSWO | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.25 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.01 | 2.36 | -0.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.35 | 8.43 | +0.92 |
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Drawdowns
GSWO vs. SDG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSWO drawdown since its inception was -17.77%, smaller than the maximum SDG drawdown of -30.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSWO and SDG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSWO | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.77% | -30.35% | +12.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.93% | -8.68% | -0.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.97% | -22.92% | +12.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -30.35% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -30.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.83% | -4.78% | +1.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.23% | -9.62% | +6.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.92% | 2.43% | -0.51% |
Volatility
GSWO vs. SDG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF (GSWO) is 4.94%, while iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) has a volatility of 5.94%. This indicates that GSWO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GSWO | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.94% | 5.94% | -1.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.08% | 12.01% | -1.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.58% | 15.02% | -3.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.07% | 15.79% | -2.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.07% | 16.64% | -3.57% |
GSWO vs. SDG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSWO has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SDG's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
GSWO vs. SDG - Dividend Comparison
GSWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, less than SDG's 1.72% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSWO Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF | 1.65% | 1.74% | 1.75% | 2.06% | 1.73% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.72% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GSWO and SDG have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SDG has higher volatility (5.94%) compared to GSWO (4.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSWO dropped -17.77% vs SDG's -30.35%.
On 3-year performance, GSWO leads with 17.48% vs 6.40% for SDG. On fees, GSWO is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, GSWO has been the lower-risk option at 4.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, GSWO has performed better with a 17.48% return vs 6.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSWO is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SDG.
SDG has the higher dividend yield at 1.72%, compared with 1.65% for GSWO.
GSWO tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Low Vol Plus Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for GSWO and 0.50% for SDG.
GSWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.37), 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.
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