GGN vs VXUS
GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GGN or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GGN led over 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 1Y and the full window.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.70% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 221 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.37% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.05% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.84%Best | +19.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.16%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.8% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -89.4% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,149Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 29, 2005 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
GGN 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
GGN vs VXUS Performance
GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (GGN) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GGN returned +14.05% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, GGN is up 8.37% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, GGN compounded at +21.84% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +16.16% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.74% annualized vs -4.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GGN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.8% compared with 15.0% 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 -89.4% for GGN and -39.9% 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GGN charges 1.40% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $140 vs $5 annually, a gap of $135 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GGN currently yields 6.70% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 38.4% of GGN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, GGN as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
29 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in GGN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 221 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GGN | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELShell Plc | 2.96% | 0.57% | 2.39% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 3.01% | 0.31% | 2.70% |
| RIO:LNRio Tinto Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.54% | 0.23% | 2.31% |
| AGI:CAAlamos Gold Inc Ord Cad Npv Cl A | 2.32% | 0.03% | 2.29% |
| WGX:AUWestgold Resources Limited Ordinary shares | 2.29% | 0.01% | 2.28% |
| KGC:CAKinross Gold Corp | 2.16% | 0.06% | 2.10% |
| GMIN:CAG Mining Ventures Corp. | 1.71% | 0.01% | 1.70% |
| DPM:CADundee Precious Metals Inc | 1.67% | 0.02% | 1.65% |
| ABX:CABarrick Gold Corp ., January 2025, $23 .50 Cad | 1.58% | 0.08% | 1.50% |
| ELD:CAEldorado Gold Corp | 1.61% | 0.02% | 1.59% |
38.4% of GGN is already inside VXUS.
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 VXUS?
GGN has an expense ratio of 1.40% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $135 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GGN or VXUS?
Over the past year GGN returned +14.05% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), GGN annualized -4.72% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GGN or VXUS?
GGN has been the more volatile fund at 23.8% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GGN -89.4% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GGN and VXUS?
GGN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 VXUS?
At least 38.4% of GGN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 70 positions we hold weights for in GGN and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GGN or VXUS?
GGN yields 6.70% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so GGN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GGN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GGN led over 3Y and 5Y, VXUS over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.