GRX vs VTI
The Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness RX Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GRX or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | GRX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $233M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.25% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 194 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.01% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.79% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.90% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.04% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,020 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.2 years).
GRX 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 19.2 years both funds cover.
GRX vs VTI Performance
The Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness RX Trust (GRX) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GRX returned +13.79% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, GRX is up 8.01% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, GRX compounded at +8.90% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.04% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.28% annualized vs +3.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GRX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 16.0% 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 -65.0% for GRX 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GRX 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, GRX currently yields 6.25% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.3% of GRX's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of GRX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, GRX 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.
121 positions in common, counted across the 175 positions we hold weights for in GRX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 194 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GRX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.01% | 6.32% | 6.31% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.51% | 0.61% | 2.90% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 3.57% | 0.44% | 3.13% |
| CICigna Corp. | 2.49% | 0.10% | 2.39% |
| BBIOBridgebio Pharma Inc Common Stock Usd | 2.56% | 0.02% | 2.54% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.60% | 0.84% | 0.76% |
| CORCencora Inc | 2.23% | 0.07% | 2.16% |
| OPCHOption Care Health Inc | 2.28% | 0.00% | 2.28% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 1.88% | 0.27% | 1.61% |
| COOCooper Cos. Inc. | 2.06% | 0.02% | 2.04% |
73.3% of GRX 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, GRX or VTI?
GRX 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, GRX or VTI?
Over the past year GRX returned +13.79% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), GRX annualized +3.11% vs +9.28% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GRX or VTI?
GRX has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GRX -65.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both GRX and VTI?
GRX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 GRX and VTI?
At least 73.3% of GRX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 121 positions in common, counted across the 175 positions we hold weights for in GRX and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GRX or VTI?
GRX yields 6.25% while VTI yields 1.07%, so GRX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GRX?
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.