GCAD vs USMC
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, GCAD or USMC?
Each has led over a different period.
GCAD has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y, USMC over 1Y and the full window. GCAD is less concentrated, with 49.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%.
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 | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.12% |
| AUM | $43M | $5.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.98% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 55 | 58 |
| YTD Return | +1.42% | +13.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.79% | +14.91%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.66%Best | +22.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.5%Best | -19.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $21,610 | $22,363Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.3%Best | 55.3% |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2023 | Oct 11, 2017 |
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 USMC 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 USMC Performance
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund (GCAD) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year GCAD returned +7.79% while USMC returned +14.91%. Year to date, GCAD is up 1.42% versus a gain of 13.98% for USMC.
Over three years, GCAD compounded at +28.66% per year against +22.22% for USMC. Across the full 4-year window we track, USMC has the edge at +23.59% annualized vs +22.48%.
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 12.1% for USMC. 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 -19.1% for USMC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCAD charges 0.00% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $12 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCAD currently yields 1.98% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
1.4% of GCAD's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 2.9% of USMC's money is in holdings GCAD also owns.
USMC and GCAD share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 27 in USMC, against full books of 55 and 58.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 26 positions for USMC that do not appear in our book for GCAD (97.1% of the fund), and 42 for GCAD that do not appear in USMC (89.8%).
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 USMC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 1.45% | 2.87% | 1.42% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GCAD and USMC 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, GCAD or USMC?
GCAD has an expense ratio of 0.00% while USMC charges 0.12%. GCAD is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCAD or USMC?
Over the past year GCAD returned +7.79% vs +14.91% for USMC, so USMC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), GCAD annualized +22.48% vs +23.59% for USMC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCAD or USMC?
GCAD has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 12.1% for USMC. Worst drawdown: GCAD -17.5% vs USMC -19.1%.
Should I hold both GCAD and USMC?
GCAD and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 USMC?
2.9% of USMC's money is in holdings GCAD also owns. 2.9% of USMC's is in holdings GCAD also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 27 in USMC.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCAD or USMC?
GCAD yields 1.98% while USMC yields 0.74%, so GCAD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than GCAD?
GCAD has a lower expense ratio. GCAD led over 3Y, USMC over 1Y and the full window. GCAD is less concentrated, with 49.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.