GUSA vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GUSA (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - GUSA tracks the Solactive GBS United States 1000 Index - Benchmark TR Gross while VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GUSA returned 22.50%/yr vs 22.37%/yr for VTI. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GUSA charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

GUSA vs. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GUSA having a 11.29% return and VTI slightly higher at 11.72%.

GUSA

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

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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

GUSA vs. VTI - 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-12.16%

Correlation

The correlation between GUSA and VTI is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 13, 2022	0.99

The correlation between GUSA and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

GUSA vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GUSA	VTI
Technology	34.0%	33.5%
Financial Services	11.6%	12.0%
Communication Services	11.1%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.0%
Industrials	9.4%	9.8%
Healthcare	8.8%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.7%
Energy	3.6%	3.7%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.4%
Basic Materials	2.0%	2.0%

Return for Risk

GUSA vs. VTI — 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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.38	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.24	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	3.24	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.45	14.94	-0.50
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUSA Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUSA and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.38	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.51	+0.38

Drawdowns

GUSA vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUSA drawdown since its inception was -19.61%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUSA and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUSA	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.61%	-55.45%	+35.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.01%	-8.92%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.61%	-19.30%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.26%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.38%	-8.03%	+3.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.93%	+0.02%

Volatility

GUSA vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs MarketBeta U.S. 1000 Equity ETF (GUSA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 3.03% and 2.90%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GUSA	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.90%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.29%	9.13%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.20%	12.17%	+0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	17.40%	-0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	18.30%	-1.04%

GUSA vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUSA has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

GUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GUSA and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, GUSA and VTI 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 VTI?

GUSA has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUSA dropped -19.61% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, GUSA or VTI?

On 3-year performance, GUSA leads with 22.50% vs 22.37% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GUSA or VTI?

Over the 3-year period, GUSA has performed better with a 22.50% return vs 22.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GUSA or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for GUSA.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.96% for GUSA.

What is the main difference between GUSA and VTI?

GUSA tracks Solactive GBS United States 1000 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for GUSA and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.32), 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.