GSC vs SMLL
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF vs Harbor Active Small Cap ETF
Which is better, GSC or SMLL?
GSC has been ahead.
GSC has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y and the full window. GSC is less concentrated, with 16.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%.
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 | SMLL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75%Best | 0.80% |
| AUM | $286M | $12M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.22% | 1.63% |
| Holdings | 197 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +10.48%Best | +2.49% |
| 1Y Return | +14.01%Best | -0.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 17.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -27.0% | -23.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $11,602Best | $10,541 |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3%Best | 36.3% |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Harbor Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | Aug 27, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.1 years).
GSC vs SMLL 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
GSC vs SMLL Performance
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF (GSC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) is an ETF from Harbor Funds. Over the past year GSC returned +14.01% while SMLL returned -0.71%. Year to date, GSC is up 10.48% versus a gain of 2.49% for SMLL.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 17.4% for SMLL. 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 -23.6% for SMLL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSC charges 0.75% per year while SMLL charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $80 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSC currently yields 0.22% against 1.63% for SMLL.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of GSC's money is in holdings SMLL also owns. 5.4% of SMLL's money is in holdings GSC also owns.
SMLL and GSC share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 51 in SMLL, against full books of 197 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 49 positions for SMLL that do not appear in our book for GSC (92.0% of the fund), and 89 for GSC that do not appear in SMLL (93.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSC and SMLL 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 SMLL?
GSC has an expense ratio of 0.75% while SMLL charges 0.80%. GSC is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSC or SMLL?
Over the past year GSC returned +14.01% vs -0.71% for SMLL, so GSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), GSC annualized +7.33% vs +2.54% for SMLL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSC or SMLL?
GSC has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 17.4% for SMLL. Worst drawdown: GSC -27.0% vs SMLL -23.6%.
Should I hold both GSC and SMLL?
GSC and SMLL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GSC and SMLL?
5.4% of SMLL's money is in holdings GSC also owns. 5.4% of SMLL's is in holdings GSC also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 51 in SMLL.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSC or SMLL?
GSC yields 0.22% while SMLL yields 1.63%, so SMLL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMLL better than GSC?
GSC has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y and the full window. GSC is less concentrated, with 16.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.