ALAI vs GAST
Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF vs Gabelli Automation ETF
Which is better, ALAI or GAST?
Each has led over a different period.
GAST has a lower expense ratio. ALAI led over the full window, GAST over 1Y.
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 | ALAI | GAST |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.00%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.16% | 0.63% |
| Holdings | 72 | 49 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.6% | 16.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -21.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $18,388Best | $12,421 |
| Fund Family | Alger | Gabelli Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 4, 2024 | Jan 5, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 306 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ALAI has data through Oct 14, 2026 and GAST through Dec 12, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2024 to Dec 12, 2025 (1.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ALAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.6% compared with 16.6% for GAST. 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 -29.4% for ALAI and -21.5% for GAST. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ALAI charges 0.58% per year while GAST charges 0.00%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $0 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ALAI currently yields 1.16% against 0.63% for GAST.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in ALAI and 49 in GAST, totalling 2.2% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 346 days apart, ALAI as of Sep 11, 2026 and GAST as of Sep 30, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in ALAI and 49 in GAST, against full books of 72 and 49.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ALAI and GAST 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, ALAI or GAST?
ALAI has an expense ratio of 0.58% while GAST charges 0.00%. GAST is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ALAI or GAST?
ALAI has been the more volatile fund at 23.6% annualized versus 16.6% for GAST. Worst drawdown: ALAI -29.4% vs GAST -21.5%.
Should I hold both ALAI and GAST?
ALAI and GAST have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ALAI or GAST?
ALAI yields 1.16% while GAST yields 0.63%, so ALAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GAST better than ALAI?
GAST has a lower expense ratio. ALAI led over the full window, GAST over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.