GSC vs NSCS
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF vs Nuveen Small Cap Select ETF
Which is better, GSC or NSCS?
Nearly the same fund. GSC costs less.
GSC has a lower expense ratio. GSC 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 | GSC | NSCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75%Best | 0.86% |
| AUM | $286M | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.22% | 0.31% |
| Holdings | 197 | 82 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3%Best | 20.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.0%Best | -28.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,605Best | $12,517 |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | Aug 4, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 478 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GSC has data through Oct 14, 2026 and NSCS through Jun 23, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2023 to Jun 23, 2025 (1.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NSCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 19.3% 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 -28.2% for NSCS. 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
GSC charges 0.75% per year while NSCS charges 0.86%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $86 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSC currently yields 0.22% against 0.31% for NSCS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSC and NSCS 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, GSC or NSCS?
GSC has an expense ratio of 0.75% while NSCS charges 0.86%. GSC is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GSC or NSCS?
NSCS has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 19.3% for GSC. Worst drawdown: GSC -27.0% vs NSCS -28.2%.
Should I hold both GSC and NSCS?
GSC and NSCS 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, GSC or NSCS?
GSC yields 0.22% while NSCS yields 0.31%, so NSCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NSCS better than GSC?
GSC has a lower expense ratio. GSC 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.