GAST vs QQQ
Gabelli Automation ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GAST or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, QQQ over the full window. GAST is less concentrated, with 44.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | GAST | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $5M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 49 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6%Best | -32.4% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $13,182 | $16,285Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.1%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 273 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GAST has data through Dec 12, 2025 and QQQ through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 5, 2022 to Dec 12, 2025 (3.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 16.9% for GAST. 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 -23.6% for GAST and -32.4% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAST charges 0.00% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $18 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAST currently yields 0.63% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
5.9% of GAST's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 9.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings GAST also owns.
QQQ and GAST share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 309 days apart, GAST as of Sep 30, 2025 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 49 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for GAST (87.9% of the fund), and 38 for GAST that do not appear in QQQ (78.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GAST and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GAST or QQQ?
GAST has an expense ratio of 0.00% while QQQ charges 0.18%. GAST is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GAST or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 16.9% for GAST. Worst drawdown: GAST -23.6% vs QQQ -32.4%.
Should I hold both GAST and QQQ?
GAST and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 GAST and QQQ?
9.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings GAST also owns. 9.2% of QQQ's is in holdings GAST also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAST or QQQ?
GAST yields 0.63% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so GAST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GAST?
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, QQQ over the full window. GAST is less concentrated, with 44.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.