GAST vs VXUS
Gabelli Automation ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GAST or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | GAST | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $5M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 49 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6%Best | -28.4% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $13,182 | $13,307Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 290 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 VXUS through Sep 28, 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 15.2% for VXUS. 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 -28.4% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAST charges 0.00% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAST currently yields 0.63% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.7% of GAST's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
GAST and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, GAST as of Sep 30, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 49 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GAST and VXUS 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 VXUS?
GAST has an expense ratio of 0.00% while VXUS charges 0.05%. GAST is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GAST or VXUS?
GAST has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GAST -23.6% vs VXUS -28.4%.
Should I hold both GAST and VXUS?
GAST and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 VXUS?
At least 7.7% of GAST's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAST or VXUS?
GAST yields 0.63% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GAST?
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.