GBND vs RFCI
Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF vs ALPS Dynamic Core Income ETF
Which is better, GBND or RFCI?
Nearly the same fund. GBND costs less.
GBND has a lower expense ratio. RFCI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GBND | RFCI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25%Best | 0.51% |
| AUM | $601M | $13M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 4.76% |
| Holdings | 747 | 48 |
| YTD Return | -1.88% | -1.04%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.65% | -0.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +5.13% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +1.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1% | 3.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -4.9% | -4.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,145 | $10,171Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2025 | Jun 13, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.3 years).
GBND vs RFCI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.3 years both funds cover.
GBND vs RFCI Performance
Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF (GBND) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and ALPS Dynamic Core Income ETF (RFCI) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year GBND returned -1.65% while RFCI returned -0.98%. Year to date, GBND is down 1.88% versus a loss of 1.04% for RFCI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GBND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.1% compared with 3.8% for RFCI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.9% for GBND and -4.3% for RFCI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBND charges 0.25% per year while RFCI charges 0.51%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $51 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBND currently yields 4.01% against 4.76% for RFCI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 480 holdings in GBND and 37 in RFCI, totalling 52.2% and 83.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 480 positions we hold weights for in GBND and 37 in RFCI, against full books of 747 and 48.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GBND | Weight in RFCI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR 5.7 08/14/33Ingersoll Rand Inc 5.7% 14Aug2033 | 0.01% | 3.32% | 3.31% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBND and RFCI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GBND or RFCI?
GBND has an expense ratio of 0.25% while RFCI charges 0.51%. GBND is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GBND or RFCI?
Over the past year GBND returned -1.65% vs -0.98% for RFCI, so RFCI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), GBND annualized +1.11% vs +1.31% for RFCI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GBND or RFCI?
GBND has been the more volatile fund at 4.1% annualized versus 3.8% for RFCI. Worst drawdown: GBND -4.9% vs RFCI -4.3%.
Should I hold both GBND and RFCI?
GBND and RFCI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GBND or RFCI?
GBND yields 4.01% while RFCI yields 4.76%, so RFCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFCI better than GBND?
GBND has a lower expense ratio. RFCI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.