GAB vs QLTY
Gabelli Equity Trust vs GMO US Quality ETF
Which is better, GAB or QLTY?
QLTY has been ahead.
QLTY has a lower expense ratio. QLTY led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | GAB | QLTY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $5.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.96% | 0.66% |
| Holdings | 682 | 90 |
| YTD Return | -8.60% | +14.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.60% | +20.95%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.18% | +21.84%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.88% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.8%Best | -17.0% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $14,144 | $17,733Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | GMO |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 21, 1986 | Nov 13, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
GAB vs QLTY 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
GAB vs QLTY Performance
Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and GMO US Quality ETF (QLTY) is an ETF from GMO. Over the past year GAB returned -4.60% while QLTY returned +20.95%. Year to date, GAB is down 8.60% versus a gain of 14.13% for QLTY.
Over three years, GAB compounded at +12.18% per year against +21.84% for QLTY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 11.6% for GAB. 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 -13.8% for GAB and -17.0% for QLTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAB charges 1.50% per year while QLTY charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $50 annually, a gap of $100 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAB currently yields 10.96% against 0.66% for QLTY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 68.6% of QLTY's money is in holdings GAB also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GAB, our book for it lists positions totalling 115.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 190 days apart, GAB as of Mar 31, 2026 and QLTY as of Oct 7, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
27 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 45 in QLTY, against full books of 682 and 90.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAB | Weight in QLTY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.15% | 8.00% | 7.85% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.89% | 3.80% | 1.91% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.37% | 4.80% | 4.43% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.49% | 2.40% | 0.09% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.27% | 4.10% | 3.83% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.09% | 4.20% | 4.11% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 0.02% | 4.20% | 4.18% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.10% | 3.70% | 3.60% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.13% | 3.50% | 3.37% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.08% | 3.30% | 3.22% |
68.6% of QLTY is already inside GAB.
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, GAB or QLTY?
GAB has an expense ratio of 1.50% while QLTY charges 0.50%. QLTY is the cheaper option, by $100 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAB or QLTY?
Over the past year GAB returned -4.60% vs +20.95% for QLTY, so QLTY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAB or QLTY?
QLTY has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 11.6% for GAB. Worst drawdown: GAB -13.8% vs QLTY -17.0%.
Should I hold both GAB and QLTY?
GAB and QLTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 GAB and QLTY?
At least 68.6% of QLTY's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 45 in QLTY.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAB or QLTY?
GAB yields 10.96% while QLTY yields 0.66%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QLTY better than GAB?
QLTY has a lower expense ratio. QLTY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.