GUSA vs. GSLC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GUSA (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF) and GSLC (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GUSA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Solactive GBS United States 1000 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while GSLC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GUSA returned 22.50%/yr vs 21.11%/yr for GSLC. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GUSA charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for GSLC.

Performance

GUSA vs. GSLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF (GUSA) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GUSA achieves a 11.29% return, which is significantly higher than GSLC's 9.00% return.

GUSA

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 4.73%
• YTD: 11.29%
• 6M: 11.21%
• 1Y: 28.15%
• 3Y*: 22.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSLC

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 4.21%
• YTD: 9.00%
• 6M: 9.17%
• 1Y: 23.91%
• 3Y*: 21.11%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 14.67%

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

GUSA vs. GSLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GUSA Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF	11.29%	17.51%	24.46%	26.61%	-12.69%
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	9.00%	16.17%	24.21%	25.09%	-11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GUSA and GSLC is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 13, 2022	0.98

The correlation between GUSA and GSLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

GUSA vs. GSLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GUSA	GSLC
Technology	34.0%	38.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	10.6%
Communication Services	11.1%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.6%
Industrials	9.4%	8.2%
Healthcare	8.8%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	5.5%
Energy	3.6%	3.2%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.1%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.5%

Return for Risk

GUSA vs. GSLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

GUSA

GUSA Risk / Return Rank: 71
GUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
GUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
GUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 71
GUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
GUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 76

GSLC

GSLC Risk / Return Rank: 60
GSLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
GSLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
GSLC Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GSLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
GSLC Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

GUSA vs. GSLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF (GUSA) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC). 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.

	GUSA	GSLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.05	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	2.82	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.37	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	2.53	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.45	11.26	+3.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GUSA vs. GSLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUSA Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the GSLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUSA and GSLC, 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

	GUSA	GSLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.05	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.82	+0.07

Drawdowns

GUSA vs. GSLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUSA drawdown since its inception was -19.61%, smaller than the maximum GSLC drawdown of -33.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUSA and GSLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUSA	GSLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.61%	-33.69%	+14.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.01%	-9.49%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.61%	-18.66%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.90%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.21%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.38%	-4.39%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.13%	-0.18%

Volatility

GUSA vs. GSLC - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF (GUSA) has a higher volatility of 3.03% compared to Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) at 2.70%. This indicates that GUSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GSLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GUSA	GSLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.70%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.29%	8.85%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.20%	11.71%	+0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	16.62%	+0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	17.68%	-0.42%

GUSA vs. GSLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUSA has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than GSLC's 0.09% 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

GUSA vs. GSLC - Dividend Comparison

GUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, more than GSLC's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSLC Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	0.92%	1.00%	1.11%	1.38%	1.61%	1.06%	1.35%	1.54%	1.89%	1.69%	1.69%	0.36%
GUSA Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF	0.96%	0.99%	1.16%	1.36%	1.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GUSA and GSLC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, GUSA and GSLC 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, GUSA or GSLC?

GUSA has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to GSLC (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUSA dropped -19.61% vs GSLC's -33.69%.

Which ETF is better, GUSA or GSLC?

On 3-year performance, GUSA leads with 22.50% vs 21.11% for GSLC. On fees, GSLC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GSLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GUSA or GSLC?

Over the 3-year period, GUSA has performed better with a 22.50% return vs 21.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GUSA or GSLC?

GSLC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for GUSA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GUSA or GSLC?

GUSA has the higher dividend yield at 0.96%, compared with 0.92% for GSLC.

What is the main difference between GUSA and GSLC?

GUSA is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while GSLC is Large Cap Growth Equities. GUSA tracks Solactive GBS United States 1000 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while GSLC tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for GUSA and 0.09% for GSLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.05), 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.