GCAD vs SCHX
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund vs Schwab US Large-Cap ETF
Which is better, GCAD or SCHX?
Each has led over a different period.
GCAD has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y and the full window, SCHX over 1Y. SCHX is less concentrated, with 36.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.3%.
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 | GCAD | SCHX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.03% |
| AUM | $43M | $75.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.98% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 55 | 752 |
| YTD Return | +1.42% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.79% | +16.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.66%Best | +22.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.56% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 12.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.5%Best | -19.0% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $21,610Best | $21,111 |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.3% | 36.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2023 | Nov 3, 2009 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.8 years).
GCAD 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
GCAD vs SCHX Performance
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund (GCAD) 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 GCAD returned +7.79% while SCHX returned +16.62%. Year to date, GCAD is up 1.42% versus a gain of 13.08% for SCHX.
Over three years, GCAD compounded at +28.66% per year against +22.27% for SCHX. Across the full 4-year window we track, GCAD has the edge at +22.48% annualized vs +21.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GCAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 12.4% 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 -17.5% for GCAD and -19.0% 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCAD charges 0.00% per year while SCHX charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCAD currently yields 1.98% against 1.04% for SCHX.
Holdings Overlap
63.9% of GCAD's money is in holdings SCHX also owns. 3.0% of SCHX's money is in holdings GCAD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 752 in SCHX, against full books of 55 and 752.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 703 positions for SCHX that do not appear in our book for GCAD (96.2% of the fund), and 16 for GCAD that do not appear in SCHX (27.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GCAD | Weight in SCHX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOG.AMoog Inccommon Stock | 6.05% | 0.02% | 6.03% |
| BABoeing Co | 5.19% | 0.22% | 4.97% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 4.87% | 0.06% | 4.81% |
| RTXRaytheon Co. | 4.51% | 0.35% | 4.16% |
| HONAHoneywell Aerospace Inc | 4.68% | 0.07% | 4.61% |
| LMTLockheed Martin | 4.47% | 0.15% | 4.32% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 3.71% | 0.09% | 3.62% |
| TXTTextron Inc. | 3.54% | 0.02% | 3.52% |
| CRCrane Co | 3.20% | 0.01% | 3.19% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 2.53% | 0.12% | 2.41% |
63.9% of GCAD is already inside SCHX.
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, GCAD or SCHX?
GCAD has an expense ratio of 0.00% while SCHX charges 0.03%. GCAD is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCAD or SCHX?
Over the past year GCAD returned +7.79% vs +16.62% for SCHX, so SCHX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), GCAD annualized +22.48% vs +21.73% for SCHX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCAD or SCHX?
GCAD has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 12.4% for SCHX. Worst drawdown: GCAD -17.5% vs SCHX -19.0%.
Should I hold both GCAD and SCHX?
GCAD and SCHX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 GCAD and SCHX?
63.9% of GCAD's money is in holdings SCHX also owns. 3.0% of SCHX's is in holdings GCAD also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 752 in SCHX.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCAD or SCHX?
GCAD yields 1.98% while SCHX yields 1.04%, so GCAD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHX better than GCAD?
GCAD has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y and the full window, SCHX over 1Y. SCHX is less concentrated, with 36.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.