GAB vs SCHX
Gabelli Equity Trust vs Schwab US Large-Cap ETF
Which is better, GAB or SCHX?
SCHX has been ahead.
SCHX has a lower expense ratio. SCHX 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 | GAB | SCHX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $75.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.96% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 682 | 752 |
| YTD Return | -8.60% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.60% | +16.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.18% | +22.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.88% | +12.56%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.2% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,690 | $18,068Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 21, 1986 | Nov 3, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.9 years).
GAB vs SCHX 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 16.9 years both funds cover.
GAB vs SCHX Performance
Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Schwab US Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year GAB returned -4.60% while SCHX returned +16.62%. Year to date, GAB is down 8.60% versus a gain of 13.08% for SCHX.
Over three years, GAB compounded at +12.18% per year against +22.27% for SCHX; over five years the annualized figures are +4.88% and +12.56% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SCHX has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs +3.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 14.5% for SCHX. 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 -60.2% for GAB and -34.3% for SCHX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAB charges 1.50% per year while SCHX charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $3 annually, a gap of $147 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAB currently yields 10.96% against 1.04% for SCHX.
Holdings Overlap
At least 70.2% of SCHX'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.
Most of SCHX is already inside GAB. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 186 days apart, GAB as of Mar 31, 2026 and SCHX as of Oct 3, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
229 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 752 in SCHX, against full books of 682 and 752.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAB | Weight in SCHX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.08% | 8.02% | 7.94% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.09% | 6.90% | 6.81% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.15% | 5.44% | 5.29% |
| AMEAmetek Inc. | 3.66% | 0.08% | 3.58% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.13% | 3.50% | 3.37% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 3.16% | 0.24% | 2.92% |
| CWCurtiss-wright Corp | 3.14% | 0.03% | 3.11% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.49% | 0.63% | 1.86% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 2.66% | 0.23% | 2.43% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.47% | 2.29% | 1.82% |
70.2% of SCHX 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 SCHX?
GAB has an expense ratio of 1.50% while SCHX charges 0.03%. SCHX is the cheaper option, by $147 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAB or SCHX?
Over the past year GAB returned -4.60% vs +16.62% for SCHX, so SCHX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), GAB annualized +3.90% vs +13.05% for SCHX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAB or SCHX?
GAB has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 14.5% for SCHX. Worst drawdown: GAB -60.2% vs SCHX -34.3%.
Should I hold both GAB and SCHX?
GAB and SCHX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 SCHX?
At least 70.2% of SCHX's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 229 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 752 in SCHX.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAB or SCHX?
GAB yields 10.96% while SCHX yields 1.04%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHX better than GAB?
SCHX has a lower expense ratio. SCHX 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.