GSC vs IWM
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF vs iShares Russell 2000 ETF
Which is better, GSC or IWM?
Each has led over a different period.
IWM has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y, IWM over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. IWM is less concentrated, with 3.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 16.3%.
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 | GSC | IWM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.19%Best |
| AUM | $286M | $76.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.22% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 197 | 1,972 |
| YTD Return | +10.48%Best | +9.82% |
| 1Y Return | +14.01%Best | +10.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.86% | +17.51%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +5.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.0%Best | -27.5% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $15,416 | $16,305Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3% | 3.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | May 22, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
GSC vs IWM 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 3 years both funds cover.
GSC vs IWM Performance
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF (GSC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year GSC returned +14.01% while IWM returned +10.58%. Year to date, GSC is up 10.48% versus a gain of 9.82% for IWM.
Over three years, GSC compounded at +14.86% per year against +17.51% for IWM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 18.5% for GSC. 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 -27.0% for GSC and -27.5% for IWM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSC charges 0.75% per year while IWM charges 0.19%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $19 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSC currently yields 0.22% against 0.98% for IWM.
Holdings Overlap
71.3% of GSC's money is in holdings IWM also owns. 9.4% of IWM's money is in holdings GSC also owns.
Most of GSC is already inside IWM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
69 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 1,973 in IWM, against full books of 197 and 1,972.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,626 positions for IWM that do not appear in our book for GSC (87.2% of the fund), and 25 for GSC that do not appear in IWM (26.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GSC | Weight in IWM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GKOSGlaukos Corp Common Stock Usd 0.001 | 1.77% | 0.32% | 1.45% |
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 1.79% | 0.16% | 1.63% |
| LTHLife Time Inc | 1.71% | 0.21% | 1.50% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 1.67% | 0.21% | 1.46% |
| TRNOTerreno Realty Corp. | 1.57% | 0.23% | 1.34% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 1.53% | 0.21% | 1.32% |
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc. Ordinary Shares | 1.49% | 0.23% | 1.26% |
| GBCIGlacier Bancorp Inc | 1.44% | 0.20% | 1.24% |
| RNSTRenasant Corp Common Stock Usd5.0 | 1.50% | 0.12% | 1.38% |
| NMIHNmi Holdings Inc. | 1.49% | 0.10% | 1.39% |
71.3% of GSC is already inside IWM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GSC or IWM?
GSC has an expense ratio of 0.75% while IWM charges 0.19%. IWM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSC or IWM?
Over the past year GSC returned +14.01% vs +10.58% for IWM, so GSC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSC or IWM?
IWM has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 18.5% for GSC. Worst drawdown: GSC -27.0% vs IWM -27.5%.
Should I hold both GSC and IWM?
GSC and IWM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between GSC and IWM?
71.3% of GSC's money is in holdings IWM also owns. 9.4% of IWM's is in holdings GSC also owns. They hold 69 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 1,973 in IWM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSC or IWM?
GSC yields 0.22% while IWM yields 0.98%, so IWM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IWM better than GSC?
IWM has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y, IWM over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. IWM is less concentrated, with 3.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 16.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.