GAB vs IVV
Gabelli Equity Trust vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GAB or IVV?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | GAB | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $886.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.21% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 682 | 508 |
| YTD Return | -1.92% | +13.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.96% | +20.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.11% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.08% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.8% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,433 | $18,327Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 21, 1986 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Sep 4, 2026 (26.3 years).
GAB vs IVV 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
GAB vs IVV Performance
Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year GAB returned +1.96% while IVV returned +20.08%. Year to date, GAB is down 1.92% versus a gain of 13.39% for IVV.
Over three years, GAB compounded at +13.11% per year against +21.29% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +6.08% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +7.01% annualized vs -0.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% compared with 15.1% for IVV. 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 -82.8% for GAB and -56.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAB charges 1.50% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $3 annually, a gap of $147 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAB currently yields 10.21% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.6% of IVV's money is in holdings GAB also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GAB, our book for it lists positions totalling 116.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
Most of IVV is already inside GAB. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 127 days apart, GAB as of Mar 31, 2026 and IVV as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
199 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 505 in IVV, against full books of 682 and 508.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAB | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.08% | 7.98% | 7.90% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.09% | 6.86% | 6.77% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 0.15% | 5.44% | 5.29% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.13% | 4.01% | 3.88% |
| AMEAmetek Inc | 3.66% | 0.09% | 3.57% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 3.16% | 0.23% | 2.93% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.49% | 0.69% | 1.80% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.10% | 2.98% | 2.88% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.47% | 2.56% | 2.09% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 2.66% | 0.28% | 2.38% |
72.6% of IVV is already inside GAB.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GAB or IVV?
GAB has an expense ratio of 1.50% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $147 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAB or IVV?
Over the past year GAB returned +1.96% vs +20.08% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), GAB annualized -0.57% vs +7.01% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAB or IVV?
GAB has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 15.1% for IVV. Worst drawdown: GAB -82.8% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both GAB and IVV?
GAB and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 GAB and IVV?
At least 72.6% of IVV's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 199 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAB or IVV?
GAB yields 10.21% while IVV yields 1.10%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than GAB?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.