GGZ vs VTI
Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GGZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | GGZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $162M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.33% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 312 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.04% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.30% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.85% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.80% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,256 | $17,537Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 23, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 12, 2014 to Sep 14, 2026 (12.3 years).
GGZ 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 12.3 years both funds cover.
GGZ vs VTI Performance
Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust (GGZ) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GGZ returned +15.30% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, GGZ is up 9.04% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, GGZ compounded at +18.85% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.80% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.05% annualized vs +4.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.2% 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 -59.0% for GGZ and -35.0% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GGZ charges 3.00% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $300 vs $3 annually, a gap of $297 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GGZ currently yields 4.33% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.6% of VTI's money is in holdings GGZ also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GGZ, our book for it lists positions totalling 106.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VTI and GGZ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, GGZ 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.
144 positions in common, counted across the 300 positions we hold weights for in GGZ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 312 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GGZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLIMueller Industries Inc | 2.83% | 0.02% | 2.81% |
| NFGNational Fuel Gas Co | 1.86% | 0.01% | 1.85% |
| FLSFlowserve Corp. | 1.79% | 0.01% | 1.78% |
| GEFGreif Inc | 1.73% | 0.00% | 1.73% |
| HRIHerc Holdings Inc Com | 1.54% | 0.01% | 1.53% |
| MODModine Manufacturing Company | 1.53% | 0.01% | 1.52% |
| ESIElement Solutions Inc | 1.34% | 0.01% | 1.33% |
| DANDana Inc | 1.34% | 0.00% | 1.34% |
| DCODucommun Incorporated Com | 1.27% | 0.00% | 1.27% |
| NPOEnpro Industries Inc | 1.24% | 0.01% | 1.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GGZ 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, GGZ or VTI?
GGZ has an expense ratio of 3.00% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $297 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GGZ or VTI?
Over the past year GGZ returned +15.30% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), GGZ annualized +4.99% vs +12.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GGZ or VTI?
GGZ has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GGZ -59.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GGZ and VTI?
GGZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 GGZ and VTI?
At least 1.6% of VTI's money is in holdings GGZ also owns. Our book for GGZ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 144 positions in common, counted across the 300 positions we hold weights for in GGZ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GGZ or VTI?
GGZ yields 4.33% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GGZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.