GSC vs RUSC
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF vs Russell Investments US Small Cap Equity ETF
Which is better, GSC or RUSC?
RUSC has been ahead.
RUSC has a lower expense ratio. RUSC led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. RUSC is less concentrated, with 5.2% 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 | RUSC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.64%Best |
| AUM | $286M | $81M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.22% | 0.33% |
| Holdings | 197 | 491 |
| YTD Return | +10.48% | +13.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.01% | +17.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.6% | -9.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $12,365 | $13,328Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3% | 5.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Russell Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | May 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.4 years).
GSC vs RUSC 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
GSC vs RUSC Performance
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF (GSC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Russell Investments US Small Cap Equity ETF (RUSC) is an ETF from Russell Investments. Over the past year GSC returned +14.01% while RUSC returned +17.59%. Year to date, GSC is up 10.48% versus a gain of 13.09% for RUSC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.3% for RUSC. 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 -12.6% for GSC and -9.8% for RUSC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. 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 RUSC charges 0.64%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $64 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSC currently yields 0.22% against 0.33% for RUSC.
Holdings Overlap
30.4% of GSC's money is in holdings RUSC also owns. 6.4% of RUSC's money is in holdings GSC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 489 in RUSC, against full books of 197 and 491.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 353 positions for RUSC that do not appear in our book for GSC (71.3% of the fund), and 66 for GSC that do not appear in RUSC (66.6%).
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 RUSC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANHManhattan Associates Inc | 1.72% | 0.33% | 1.39% |
| LGNDLigand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 1.35% | 0.64% | 0.71% |
| FROGJfrog Ltd | 1.39% | 0.37% | 1.02% |
| DOCNDigitalocean Holdings Inc | 1.52% | 0.22% | 1.30% |
| TRNOTerreno Realty Corp. | 1.57% | 0.16% | 1.41% |
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc. Ordinary Shares | 1.49% | 0.19% | 1.30% |
| GBCIGlacier Bancorp Inc | 1.44% | 0.24% | 1.20% |
| RNSTRenasant Corp Common Stock Usd5.0 | 1.50% | 0.17% | 1.33% |
| WSBCWesbanco, Inc. | 1.43% | 0.23% | 1.20% |
| ONTOOnto Innovation Inc | 1.29% | 0.21% | 1.08% |
30.4% of GSC is already inside RUSC.
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 RUSC?
GSC has an expense ratio of 0.75% while RUSC charges 0.64%. RUSC is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSC or RUSC?
Over the past year GSC returned +14.01% vs +17.59% for RUSC, so RUSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), GSC annualized +16.37% vs +22.78% for RUSC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSC or RUSC?
GSC has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.3% for RUSC. Worst drawdown: GSC -12.6% vs RUSC -9.8%.
Should I hold both GSC and RUSC?
GSC and RUSC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 RUSC?
30.4% of GSC's money is in holdings RUSC also owns. 6.4% of RUSC's is in holdings GSC also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 489 in RUSC.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSC or RUSC?
GSC yields 0.22% while RUSC yields 0.33%, so RUSC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RUSC better than GSC?
RUSC has a lower expense ratio. RUSC led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. RUSC is less concentrated, with 5.2% 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.