GCAD vs VTI
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GCAD or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y.
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 | GCAD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.87% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 55 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.97% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.81% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.65%Best | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $22,344Best | $20,437 |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2023 to Sep 10, 2026 (3.7 years).
GCAD vs VTI 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 3.7 years both funds cover.
GCAD vs VTI Performance
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund (GCAD) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GCAD returned +16.81% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, GCAD is up 4.97% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, GCAD compounded at +30.65% per year against +20.35% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, GCAD has the edge at +24.27% annualized vs +21.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GCAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 12.8% for VTI. 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 -16.1% for GCAD and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCAD charges 0.10% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $3 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCAD currently yields 1.87% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 86.1% of GCAD's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of GCAD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GCAD as of Aug 19, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
38 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 55 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GCAD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSPRMoog Inc | 6.34% | 0.02% | 6.32% |
| AINAlbany International Corp | 5.97% | 0.00% | 5.97% |
| BABoeing Co | 5.30% | 0.23% | 5.07% |
| RTXRaytheon Technologies Corp | 4.86% | 0.35% | 4.51% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 4.69% | 0.16% | 4.53% |
| HXLHexcel Corp | 4.58% | 0.01% | 4.57% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 4.44% | 0.07% | 4.37% |
| HONAHoneywell Aerospace Inc | 4.24% | 0.10% | 4.14% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 3.98% | 0.10% | 3.88% |
| TXTTextron Inc. | 3.64% | 0.02% | 3.62% |
86.1% of GCAD is already inside VTI.
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, GCAD or VTI?
GCAD has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCAD or VTI?
Over the past year GCAD returned +16.81% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), GCAD annualized +24.27% vs +21.31% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCAD or VTI?
GCAD has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GCAD -16.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both GCAD and VTI?
GCAD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 GCAD and VTI?
At least 86.1% of GCAD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCAD or VTI?
GCAD yields 1.87% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GCAD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GCAD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.