GAST vs VOO
Gabelli Automation ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GAST or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, VOO over the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% 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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.03% |
| AUM | $5M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 49 | 506 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -23.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $13,182 | $15,321Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.1% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2022 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 292 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 VOO through Sep 30, 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 15.8% for VOO. 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 -23.4% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAST charges 0.00% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAST currently yields 0.63% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
33.0% of GAST's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 8.9% of VOO's money is in holdings GAST also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, GAST as of Sep 30, 2025 and VOO as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
14 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 494 in VOO, against full books of 49 and 506.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 473 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for GAST (90.3% of the fund), and 28 for GAST that do not appear in VOO (51.4%).
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 VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.29% | 3.24% | 0.05% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.68% | 4.13% | 2.45% |
| ROKRockwell Automation | 4.65% | 0.08% | 4.57% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 4.43% | 0.13% | 4.30% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 3.71% | 0.34% | 3.37% |
| AMEAmetek Inc | 3.46% | 0.09% | 3.37% |
| ICEInternational Exchange, Inc. | 2.91% | 0.13% | 2.78% |
| GWWWw Grainger Inc. | 2.12% | 0.09% | 2.03% |
| PTCPtc Inc | 1.94% | 0.02% | 1.92% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.71% | 0.11% | 1.60% |
33.0% of GAST is already inside VOO.
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, GAST or VOO?
GAST has an expense ratio of 0.00% while VOO charges 0.03%. GAST is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GAST or VOO?
GAST has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.8% for VOO. Worst drawdown: GAST -23.6% vs VOO -23.4%.
Should I hold both GAST and VOO?
GAST and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 VOO?
33.0% of GAST's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 8.9% of VOO's is in holdings GAST also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAST or VOO?
GAST yields 0.63% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than GAST?
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, VOO over the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% 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.