GAB vs SCHD
Gabelli Equity Trust vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, GAB or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD 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 | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.21% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 682 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -1.92% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.96% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.11% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.08% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.2% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,433 | $16,274Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 21, 1986 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
GAB vs SCHD 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
GAB vs SCHD Performance
Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year GAB returned +1.96% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, GAB is down 1.92% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, GAB compounded at +13.11% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.08% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +4.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 13.6% for SCHD. 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 -60.2% for GAB and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAB charges 1.50% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $6 annually, a gap of $144 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAB currently yields 10.21% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 54.5% of SCHD'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 129 days apart, GAB as of Mar 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Aug 7, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
26 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 682 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAB | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.89% | 3.53% | 1.64% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.49% | 4.62% | 4.13% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 1.15% | 3.59% | 2.44% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.48% | 4.26% | 3.78% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.78% | 3.71% | 2.93% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.26% | 4.20% | 3.94% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.16% | 4.11% | 3.95% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.13% | 3.84% | 3.71% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.04% | 3.74% | 3.70% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 0.29% | 3.31% | 3.02% |
54.5% of SCHD 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GAB or SCHD?
GAB has an expense ratio of 1.50% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $144 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAB or SCHD?
Over the past year GAB returned +1.96% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), GAB annualized +4.57% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAB or SCHD?
GAB has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: GAB -60.2% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both GAB and SCHD?
GAB and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 SCHD?
At least 54.5% of SCHD's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAB or SCHD?
GAB yields 10.21% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than GAB?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD 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.