GGN vs VTI
GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GGN or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GGN led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.9%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $996M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.83% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 221 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +4.82% | +14.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.86% | +16.83%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.03% | +22.56%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.17%Best | +12.76% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -94.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,263Best | $18,230 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.9% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 29, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 29, 2005 to Oct 9, 2026 (21.5 years).
GGN 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 21.5 years both funds cover.
GGN vs VTI Performance
GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (GGN) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GGN returned +5.86% while VTI returned +16.83%. Year to date, GGN is up 4.82% versus a gain of 14.54% for VTI.
Over three years, GGN compounded at +21.03% per year against +22.56% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +15.17% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.67% annualized vs -3.95%.
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 15.3% 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 -94.2% for GGN 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GGN charges 1.40% per year while VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
43.5% of GGN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.2% of VTI's money is in holdings GGN also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, GGN as of Mar 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in GGN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 221 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,127 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GGN (94.2% of the fund), and 10 for GGN that do not appear in VTI (12.1%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 6.61% | 0.89% | 5.72% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 5.64% | 0.14% | 5.50% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 4.18% | 0.52% | 3.66% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 3.52% | 0.12% | 3.40% |
| VLOValero Energy | 1.83% | 0.13% | 1.70% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 1.76% | 0.20% | 1.56% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 1.78% | 0.12% | 1.66% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.75% | 0.11% | 1.64% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.58% | 0.12% | 1.46% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.57% | 0.10% | 1.47% |
43.5% of GGN 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, GGN or VTI?
GGN has an expense ratio of 1.40% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $137 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GGN or VTI?
Over the past year GGN returned +5.86% vs +16.83% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), GGN annualized -3.95% vs +9.67% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GGN or VTI?
GGN has been the more volatile fund at 26.8% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GGN -94.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both GGN and VTI?
GGN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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 VTI?
43.5% of GGN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.2% of VTI's is in holdings GGN also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in GGN and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GGN or VTI?
GGN yields 5.83% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GGN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GGN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GGN led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.