VFV.TO vs. GSWO

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VFV.TO (Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF) and GSWO (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFV.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while GSWO is a Global Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Low Vol Plus Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFV.TO charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for GSWO.

Performance

VFV.TO vs. GSWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF (GSWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VFV.TO is traded in CAD, while GSWO is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the GSWO values have been converted to CAD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VFV.TO having a 10.06% return and GSWO slightly higher at 10.30%.

VFV.TO

• 1D: -2.35%
• 1M: 2.71%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 6M: 8.92%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSWO

• 1D: -2.49%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 10.30%
• 6M: 10.18%
• 1Y: 20.14%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VFV.TO vs. GSWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VFV.TO Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF	10.06%	14.91%
GSWO Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF	10.30%	8.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VFV.TO and GSWO is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2025	0.79

Return for Risk

VFV.TO vs. GSWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSWO

GSWO Risk / Return Rank: 50
GSWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
GSWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
GSWO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
GSWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
GSWO Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

VFV.TO vs. GSWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF (GSWO). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VFV.TO	GSWO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.30	1.36	+0.94

Drawdowns

VFV.TO vs. GSWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFV.TO drawdown since its inception was -8.62%, smaller than the maximum GSWO drawdown of -12.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFV.TO and GSWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFV.TO	GSWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.62%	-12.43%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.45%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-2.49%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.38%	-1.94%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.73%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VFV.TO	GSWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.67%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.65%	10.70%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.65%	11.00%	+0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.65%	11.00%	+0.65%

VFV.TO vs. GSWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFV.TO has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than GSWO's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFV.TO vs. GSWO - Dividend Comparison

VFV.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than GSWO's 1.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GSWO Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF	1.65%	1.74%	1.75%	2.06%	1.73%
VFV.TO Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF	0.85%	0.92%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFV.TO and GSWO in my portfolio?

VFV.TO and GSWO have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VFV.TO or GSWO?

On fees, VFV.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFV.TO or GSWO?

VFV.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for GSWO.

What is the main difference between VFV.TO and GSWO?

VFV.TO is categorized as S&P 500, while GSWO is Global Equities. VFV.TO tracks S&P 500 Index, while GSWO tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Low Vol Plus Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VFV.TO and 0.25% for GSWO.