GSSC vs MSSM
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF vs Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF
Which is better, GSSC or MSSM?
Nearly the same fund. GSSC costs less.
GSSC has a lower expense ratio. GSSC led over 1Y, MSSM over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. GSSC is less concentrated, with 3.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.2%.
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 | GSSC | MSSM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20%Best | 0.62% |
| AUM | $1.0B | $688M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 2,826 | 2,229 |
| YTD Return | +12.51%Best | +9.46% |
| 1Y Return | +13.47%Best | +13.05% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.80% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.56% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.4% | -24.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,520 | $11,591Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.7%Best | 6.2% |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Morgan Stanley |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2017 | Dec 9, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 9, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
GSSC vs MSSM 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
GSSC vs MSSM Performance
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Small Cap Equity ETF (GSSC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) is an ETF from Morgan Stanley. Over the past year GSSC returned +13.47% while MSSM returned +13.05%. Year to date, GSSC is up 12.51% versus a gain of 9.46% for MSSM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 15.4% for MSSM. 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 -25.4% for GSSC and -24.2% for MSSM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSSC charges 0.20% per year while MSSM charges 0.62%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $62 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSSC currently yields 1.00% against 2.81% for MSSM.
Holdings Overlap
81.4% of GSSC's money is in holdings MSSM also owns. 39.6% of MSSM's money is in holdings GSSC also owns.
Most of GSSC is already inside MSSM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
976 positions in common, counted across the 1,377 positions we hold weights for in GSSC and 1,822 in MSSM, against full books of 2,826 and 2,229.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 672 positions for MSSM that do not appear in our book for GSSC (55.3% of the fund), and 358 for GSSC that do not appear in MSSM (17.0%).
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 GSSC | Weight in MSSM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.25% | 0.67% | 0.42% |
| PLXSPlexus Corp | 0.22% | 0.53% | 0.31% |
| VECOVeeco Instruments Inc | 0.08% | 0.67% | 0.59% |
| TXG10x Genomics Inc Com Usd 1 Cl A | 0.69% | 0.04% | 0.65% |
| BTSGBrightspring Health | 0.25% | 0.47% | 0.22% |
| CHEFChefs' Warehouse, Inc. | 0.22% | 0.48% | 0.26% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.22% | 0.45% | 0.23% |
| EATBrinker Intl Inc | 0.17% | 0.49% | 0.32% |
| AVNTAvient Corp | 0.10% | 0.51% | 0.41% |
| HAEHaemonetics Corp | 0.07% | 0.52% | 0.45% |
81.4% of GSSC is already inside MSSM.
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, GSSC or MSSM?
GSSC has an expense ratio of 0.20% while MSSM charges 0.62%. GSSC is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSSC or MSSM?
Over the past year GSSC returned +13.47% vs +13.05% for MSSM, so GSSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), GSSC annualized +8.18% vs +8.55% for MSSM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSSC or MSSM?
GSSC has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 15.4% for MSSM. Worst drawdown: GSSC -25.4% vs MSSM -24.2%.
Should I hold both GSSC and MSSM?
GSSC and MSSM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 GSSC and MSSM?
81.4% of GSSC's money is in holdings MSSM also owns. 39.6% of MSSM's is in holdings GSSC also owns. They hold 976 positions in common, counted across the 1,377 positions we hold weights for in GSSC and 1,822 in MSSM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSSC or MSSM?
GSSC yields 1.00% while MSSM yields 2.81%, so MSSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MSSM better than GSSC?
GSSC has a lower expense ratio. GSSC led over 1Y, MSSM over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. GSSC is less concentrated, with 3.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.