GAB vs SPYM
Gabelli Equity Trust vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GAB or SPYM?
SPYM has been ahead.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM 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 | SPYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.02%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $185.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.96% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 682 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -8.60% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.60% | +17.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.18% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.88% | +13.29%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.2% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,690 | $18,662Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 21, 1986 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.7 years).
GAB vs SPYM 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
GAB vs SPYM Performance
Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year GAB returned -4.60% while SPYM returned +17.53%. Year to date, GAB is down 8.60% versus a gain of 13.57% for SPYM.
Over three years, GAB compounded at +12.18% per year against +22.46% for SPYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.88% and +13.29% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPYM has the edge at +12.62% annualized vs +1.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 14.7% for SPYM. 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 SPYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAB charges 1.50% per year while SPYM charges 0.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $2 annually, a gap of $148 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAB currently yields 10.96% against 1.01% for SPYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.5% of SPYM'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 SPYM is already inside GAB. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, GAB as of Mar 31, 2026 and SPYM as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
199 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 505 in SPYM, against full books of 682 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAB | Weight in SPYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.08% | 8.49% | 8.41% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.09% | 7.30% | 7.21% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.15% | 5.76% | 5.61% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.13% | 3.70% | 3.57% |
| AMEAmetek Inc | 3.66% | 0.09% | 3.57% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 3.16% | 0.26% | 2.90% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.49% | 0.67% | 1.82% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 2.66% | 0.24% | 2.42% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.47% | 2.42% | 1.95% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.37% | 2.41% | 2.04% |
73.5% of SPYM 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 SPYM?
GAB has an expense ratio of 1.50% while SPYM charges 0.02%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $148 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAB or SPYM?
Over the past year GAB returned -4.60% vs +17.53% for SPYM, so SPYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), GAB annualized +1.31% vs +12.62% for SPYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAB or SPYM?
GAB has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 14.7% for SPYM. Worst drawdown: GAB -60.2% vs SPYM -34.3%.
Should I hold both GAB and SPYM?
GAB and SPYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 SPYM?
At least 73.5% of SPYM's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 199 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 505 in SPYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAB or SPYM?
GAB yields 10.96% while SPYM yields 1.01%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYM better than GAB?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM 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.