SMLL vs. GSG
SMLL (Harbor Active Small Cap ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SMLL is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. SMLL is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past year, SMLL returned 5.80% vs 42.34% for GSG. Their -0.06 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. SMLL charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
SMLL vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMLL achieves a 7.95% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 38.94% return.
SMLL
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- 6M
- 5.67%
- YTD
- 7.95%
- 1Y
- 5.80%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 6.30%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 12.94%
- 6M
- 25.75%
- YTD
- 38.94%
- 1Y
- 42.34%
- 3Y*
- 14.13%
- 5Y*
- 14.47%
- 10Y*
- 8.91%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.13%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $16.60M | $17.31M | $26.52M | |
| $12.67K | $15.57K | $37.20K |
SMLL vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
SMLL Harbor Active Small Cap ETF | 7.95% | -6.31% | 11.18% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 38.94% | 5.93% | 3.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between SMLL and GSG is -0.21, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024 | -0.06 |
The correlation between SMLL and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to -0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SMLL vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
SMLL
GSG
SMLL vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) 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.
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.
| SMLL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.05 | 1.29 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.22 | 2.16 | -1.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.44 | 6.99 | -6.55 |
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Drawdowns
SMLL vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMLL drawdown since its inception was -23.56%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLL and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMLL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.56% | -89.62% | +66.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.53% | -18.81% | +3.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.81% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.12% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.17% | -58.05% | +51.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.64% | -63.67% | +55.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.74% | 5.84% | +1.90% |
Volatility
SMLL vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) is 5.20%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.11%. This indicates that SMLL 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.
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Volatility by Period
| SMLL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.20% | 8.11% | -2.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.09% | 22.18% | -10.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.56% | 24.23% | -6.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.09% | 22.86% | -2.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.09% | 22.06% | -1.97% |
SMLL vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMLL has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
SMLL vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
SMLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SMLL Harbor Active Small Cap ETF | 2.19% | 2.37% | 0.52% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SMLL and GSG have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.11%) compared to SMLL (5.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMLL dropped -23.56% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 1-year performance, GSG leads with 42.34% vs 5.80% for SMLL. On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, SMLL has been the lower-risk option at 5.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GSG has performed better with a 42.34% return vs 5.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for SMLL.
SMLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
SMLL is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for SMLL and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 0.19), 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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