RSDE vs. GSG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RSDE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - RSDE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weight, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RSDE returned 13.68% vs 49.68% for GSG. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. RSDE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.

Performance

RSDE vs. GSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSDE achieves a 6.37% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 40.46% return.

RSDE

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 6.37%
• 6M: 6.69%
• 1Y: 13.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSG

• 1D: -1.49%
• 1M: -5.32%
• YTD: 40.46%
• 6M: 38.18%
• 1Y: 49.68%
• 3Y*: 18.78%
• 5Y*: 15.39%
• 10Y*: 7.42%

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

RSDE vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RSDE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December	6.37%	8.96%	-0.25%
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust	40.46%	5.93%	2.30%

Correlation

The correlation between RSDE and GSG is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024	-0.03

The correlation between RSDE and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to -0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RSDE vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSDE

RSDE Risk / Return Rank: 54
RSDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
RSDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
RSDE Omega Ratio Rank: 50
RSDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
RSDE Martin Ratio Rank: 59

GSG

GSG Risk / Return Rank: 71
GSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
GSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
GSG Omega Ratio Rank: 66
GSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
GSG Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

RSDE vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.

	RSDE	GSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.17	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.79	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	5.28	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.25	13.78	-3.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSDE vs. GSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the GSG Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSDE and GSG, 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

	RSDE	GSG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.17	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	-0.09	+1.06

Drawdowns

RSDE vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSDE drawdown since its inception was -10.77%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSDE and GSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSDE	GSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-89.62%	+78.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.83%	-9.46%	+4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.94%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-57.59%	+57.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-63.71%	+62.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.34%	3.62%	-2.28%

Volatility

RSDE vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) is 1.38%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.72%. This indicates that RSDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSDE	GSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	7.72%	-6.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.10%	20.48%	-15.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.01%	23.01%	-15.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.02%	22.61%	-11.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.02%	22.03%	-11.01%

RSDE vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSDE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSDE vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison

Neither RSDE nor GSG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSDE and GSG in my portfolio?

RSDE and GSG have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSDE or GSG?

GSG has higher volatility (7.72%) compared to RSDE (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSDE dropped -10.77% vs GSG's -89.62%.

Which ETF is better, RSDE or GSG?

On 1-year performance, GSG leads with 49.68% vs 13.68% for RSDE. On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, RSDE has been the lower-risk option at 1.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSDE or GSG?

Over the 1-year period, GSG has performed better with a 49.68% return vs 13.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSDE or GSG?

GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for RSDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSDE or GSG?

RSDE and GSG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between RSDE and GSG?

RSDE is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GSG is Commodities. RSDE tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for RSDE and 0.75% for GSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.72), 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.