GDV vs VTI
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GDV or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | GDV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.21% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 715 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.86% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.72% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.29% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.51% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,043 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2003 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2003 to Sep 11, 2026 (22.8 years).
GDV 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 22.8 years both funds cover.
GDV vs VTI Performance
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GDV returned +15.72% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, GDV is up 10.86% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, GDV compounded at +20.29% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.51% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.53% annualized vs +3.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 15.1% 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 -73.3% for GDV and -56.6% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDV charges 1.30% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $130 vs $3 annually, a gap of $127 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDV currently yields 5.21% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 678 holdings in GDV and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 110.4% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 387 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, GDV as of Mar 31, 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.
387 positions in common, counted across the 678 positions we hold weights for in GDV and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 715 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 1.32% | 6.32% | 5.00% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.97% | 5.84% | 4.87% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 1.41% | 3.81% | 2.40% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.87% | 3.17% | 2.30% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.67% | 2.27% | 0.60% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 2.42% | 1.11% | 1.31% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 0.27% | 2.88% | 2.61% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.59% | 2.46% | 1.87% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.40% | 0.56% | 1.84% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.53% | 1.40% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDV and VTI 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, GDV or VTI?
GDV has an expense ratio of 1.30% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $127 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDV or VTI?
Over the past year GDV returned +15.72% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), GDV annualized +3.24% vs +9.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDV or VTI?
GDV has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 15.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GDV -73.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both GDV and VTI?
GDV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDV or VTI?
GDV yields 5.21% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GDV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.