EQTY vs GDV
Kovitz Core Equity ETF vs Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust
Which is better, EQTY or GDV?
Each has led over a different period.
EQTY has a lower expense ratio. EQTY led over 1Y and the full window, GDV over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | EQTY | GDV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99%Best | 1.30% |
| AUM | $1.4B | $3.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 5.41% |
| Holdings | 77 | 766 |
| YTD Return | +12.60%Best | +11.00% |
| 1Y Return | +16.37%Best | +14.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.06% | +22.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +7.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.3%Best | -18.2% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $18,669Best | $17,548 |
| Fund Family | Kovitz Investment Group | Gabelli Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 28, 2011 | Nov 28, 2003 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2022 to Nov 11, 2026 (3.9 years).
EQTY vs GDV 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
EQTY vs GDV Performance
Kovitz Core Equity ETF (EQTY) is an ETF from Kovitz Investment Group and Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds. Over the past year EQTY returned +16.37% while GDV returned +14.45%. Year to date, EQTY is up 12.60% versus a gain of 11.00% for GDV.
Over three years, EQTY compounded at +19.06% per year against +22.36% for GDV. Across the full 4-year window we track, EQTY has the edge at +17.36% annualized vs +15.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 12.8% for EQTY. 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 -17.3% for EQTY and -18.2% for GDV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQTY charges 0.99% per year while GDV charges 1.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $130 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQTY currently yields 0.02% against 5.41% for GDV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 65.5% of EQTY's money is in holdings GDV also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GDV, our book for it covers 91.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 107 days apart, EQTY as of Oct 15, 2026 and GDV as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in EQTY and 709 in GDV, against full books of 77 and 766.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EQTY | Weight in GDV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.24% | 1.13% | 4.11% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.96% | 1.63% | 2.33% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 4.17% | 1.22% | 2.95% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.89% | 0.40% | 4.49% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 4.30% | 0.15% | 4.15% |
| ICEInterContinental Hotels Group PLC Ord Gbp0.208521303 | 4.29% | 0.10% | 4.19% |
| ADIAnalog Devices | 3.97% | 0.02% | 3.95% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.14% | 0.80% | 2.34% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.22% | 0.56% | 2.66% |
| CARRCarrier Global Corporation | 3.57% | 0.05% | 3.52% |
65.5% of EQTY is already inside GDV.
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, EQTY or GDV?
EQTY has an expense ratio of 0.99% while GDV charges 1.30%. EQTY is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQTY or GDV?
Over the past year EQTY returned +16.37% vs +14.45% for GDV, so EQTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), EQTY annualized +17.36% vs +15.51% for GDV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQTY or GDV?
GDV has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 12.8% for EQTY. Worst drawdown: EQTY -17.3% vs GDV -18.2%.
Should I hold both EQTY and GDV?
EQTY and GDV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 EQTY and GDV?
At least 65.5% of EQTY's money is in holdings GDV also owns. Our book for GDV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in EQTY and 709 in GDV.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQTY or GDV?
EQTY yields 0.02% while GDV yields 5.41%, so GDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GDV better than EQTY?
EQTY has a lower expense ratio. EQTY led over 1Y and the full window, GDV over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.