GAST vs SCHD
Gabelli Automation ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, GAST or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.1%.
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 | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $5M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 49 | 103 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $13,182Best | $11,811 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.1% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2022 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 272 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 SCHD through Sep 10, 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
GAST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -23.6% for GAST and -16.9% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAST charges 0.00% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $6 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAST currently yields 0.63% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
0.9% of GAST's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 3.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings GAST also owns.
SCHD and GAST share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 335 days apart, GAST as of Sep 30, 2025 and SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 49 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 98 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for GAST (96.8% of the fund), and 40 for GAST that do not appear in SCHD (83.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAST | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.90% | 3.13% | 2.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GAST and SCHD 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 SCHD?
GAST has an expense ratio of 0.00% while SCHD charges 0.06%. GAST is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GAST or SCHD?
GAST has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.8% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: GAST -23.6% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both GAST and SCHD?
GAST and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 SCHD?
3.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings GAST also owns. 3.1% of SCHD's is in holdings GAST also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAST or SCHD?
GAST yields 0.63% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than GAST?
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over the full window, SCHD over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.