GGUS vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGGUSSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.12%0.09%
AUM$427M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.40%1.01%
Holdings388505
YTD Return+6.74%+13.50%
1Y Return+13.16%+23.56%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.17%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.46%
Volatility (annualized)15.4%15.3%
Max Drawdown-22.7%-56.5%
Fund FamilyGoldman Sachs Asset ManagementState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionNov 28, 2023Jan 22, 1993

GGUS vs SPY Performance

Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF (GGUS) is a ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year GGUS returned +13.16% while SPY returned +23.56%. Year to date, GGUS is up 6.74% versus a gain of 13.50% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

GGUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 15.3% for SPY. 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 -22.7% for GGUS and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

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

GGUS charges 0.12% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $9 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GGUS currently yields 0.40% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

57.9%overlap

GGUS and SPY share 186 holdings out of 688 unique holdings combined, representing a 57.9% weight overlap.

High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in GGUSWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA11.81%7.31%4.50%
AAPL10.68%7.09%3.59%
MSFT4.26%4.43%0.17%
AMZNProProPro
AVGOProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
TSLAProProPro
METAProProPro
GOOGProProPro
LLYProProPro
See all 10 holdings GGUS shares with SPY
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, GGUS or SPY?

GGUS has an expense ratio of 0.12% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $3 per year of difference.

Which performed better, GGUS or SPY?

Over the past year GGUS returned +13.16% vs +23.56% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), GGUS annualized +22.10% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, GGUS or SPY?

GGUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: GGUS -22.7% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both GGUS and SPY?

GGUS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.

What is the holdings overlap between GGUS and SPY?

GGUS and SPY share 186 common holdings with a 57.9% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 688 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, GGUS or SPY?

GGUS yields 0.40% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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