GGN vs IVV
GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GGN or IVV?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. GGN led over 5Y, IVV over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. GGN is less concentrated, with 36.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.1%.
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 | GGN | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $996M | $882.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.83% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 221 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +4.23% | +14.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.06% | +17.32%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.18% | +23.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.75%Best | +13.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.8% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -94.2% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,778Best | $19,212 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.9%Best | 38.1% |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 29, 2005 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 29, 2005 to Oct 6, 2026 (21.5 years).
GGN vs IVV 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 21.5 years both funds cover.
GGN vs IVV Performance
GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (GGN) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year GGN returned +5.06% while IVV returned +17.32%. Year to date, GGN is up 4.23% versus a gain of 14.98% for IVV.
Over three years, GGN compounded at +21.18% per year against +23.33% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +15.75% and +13.95% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.66% annualized vs -3.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GGN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.8% compared with 14.9% for IVV. 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 -94.2% for GGN and -56.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GGN charges 1.40% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $140 vs $3 annually, a gap of $137 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GGN currently yields 5.83% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
42.1% of GGN's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 3.9% of IVV's money is in holdings GGN also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 164 days apart, GGN as of Mar 31, 2026 and IVV as of Sep 11, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
22 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in GGN and 505 in IVV, against full books of 221 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 475 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for GGN (95.4% of the fund), and 11 for GGN that do not appear in IVV (13.5%).
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 GGN | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 6.61% | 1.04% | 5.57% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 5.64% | 0.20% | 5.44% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 4.18% | 0.61% | 3.57% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 3.52% | 0.15% | 3.37% |
| VLOValero Energy | 1.83% | 0.18% | 1.65% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 1.76% | 0.25% | 1.51% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 1.78% | 0.16% | 1.62% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.75% | 0.12% | 1.63% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.58% | 0.13% | 1.45% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.57% | 0.13% | 1.44% |
42.1% of GGN is already inside IVV.
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, GGN or IVV?
GGN has an expense ratio of 1.40% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $137 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GGN or IVV?
Over the past year GGN returned +5.06% vs +17.32% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), GGN annualized -3.97% vs +9.66% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GGN or IVV?
GGN has been the more volatile fund at 26.8% annualized versus 14.9% for IVV. Worst drawdown: GGN -94.2% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both GGN and IVV?
GGN and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 GGN and IVV?
42.1% of GGN's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 3.9% of IVV's is in holdings GGN also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in GGN and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, GGN or IVV?
GGN yields 5.83% while IVV yields 1.06%, so GGN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than GGN?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. GGN led over 5Y, IVV over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. GGN is less concentrated, with 36.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.