GCAD vs VXUS
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GCAD or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.87% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 55 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.97% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.81% | +22.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.65%Best | +19.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 12.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.1% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $22,344Best | $18,150 |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund (GCAD) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GCAD returned +16.81% while VXUS returned +22.44%. Year to date, GCAD is up 4.97% versus a gain of 13.35% for VXUS.
Over three years, GCAD compounded at +30.65% per year against +19.44% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, GCAD has the edge at +24.27% annualized vs +17.48%.
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 12.3% 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 -16.1% for GCAD and -13.6% 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCAD charges 0.10% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCAD currently yields 1.87% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.6% of GCAD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
GCAD and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GCAD as of Aug 19, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 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 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 55 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GCAD 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, GCAD or VXUS?
GCAD has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCAD or VXUS?
Over the past year GCAD returned +16.81% vs +22.44% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), GCAD annualized +24.27% vs +17.48% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCAD or VXUS?
GCAD has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 12.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GCAD -16.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both GCAD and VXUS?
GCAD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 VXUS?
At least 3.6% of GCAD'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 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 8,091 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCAD or VXUS?
GCAD yields 1.87% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GCAD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.