GABF vs. GCAD
GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) and GCAD (Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GABF is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli, while GCAD is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by Gabelli. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GABF returned 21.78%/yr vs 35.11%/yr for GCAD. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GABF charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for GCAD.
Performance
GABF vs. GCAD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GABF achieves a -4.77% return, which is significantly lower than GCAD's 17.02% return.
GABF
- 1D
- 2.43%
- 1M
- -0.68%
- YTD
- -4.77%
- 6M
- -4.12%
- 1Y
- -1.19%
- 3Y*
- 21.78%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GCAD
- 1D
- 2.57%
- 1M
- 7.35%
- YTD
- 17.02%
- 6M
- 21.35%
- 1Y
- 37.73%
- 3Y*
- 35.11%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GABF vs. GCAD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF | -4.77% | 3.60% | 44.38% | 35.11% |
GCAD Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 17.02% | 39.28% | 26.61% | 17.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between GABF and GCAD is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2023 | 0.64 |
The correlation between GABF and GCAD shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
GABF vs. GCAD - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
GABF
GCAD
Financial Services
-
Real Estate
Technology
Industrials
Basic Materials
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Financial Services
GABF
GCAD
-
Real Estate
GABF
GCAD
Technology
GABF
GCAD
Industrials
GABF
GCAD
Basic Materials
GABF
-
GCAD
Communication Services
GABF
-
GCAD
-
Consumer Cyclical
GABF
-
GCAD
Consumer Defensive
GABF
-
GCAD
-
Energy
GABF
-
GCAD
-
Healthcare
GABF
-
GCAD
-
Utilities
GABF
-
GCAD
-
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Return for Risk
GABF vs. GCAD — Risk / Return Rank
GABF
GCAD
GABF vs. GCAD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) and Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| GABF | GCAD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.34 | -0.34 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.07 | 2.53 | -2.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.16 | 8.74 | -8.90 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GABF | GCAD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.07 | 1.96 | -2.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.90 | 1.61 | -0.71 |
Drawdowns
GABF vs. GCAD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GABF drawdown since its inception was -20.86%, which is greater than GCAD's maximum drawdown of -16.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABF and GCAD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GABF | GCAD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.86% | -16.14% | -4.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.16% | -14.96% | -2.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.86% | -16.14% | -4.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.45% | -3.51% | -5.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.86% | -3.03% | -1.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.29% | 4.33% | +2.96% |
Volatility
GABF vs. GCAD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) is 4.98%, while Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) has a volatility of 7.49%. This indicates that GABF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GCAD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GABF | GCAD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.98% | 7.49% | -2.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.36% | 16.50% | -3.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.53% | 19.37% | -1.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.57% | 18.53% | +2.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.57% | 18.53% | +2.04% |
GABF vs. GCAD - Expense Ratio Comparison
GABF has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than GCAD's 0.00% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
GABF vs. GCAD - Dividend Comparison
GABF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, more than GCAD's 1.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF | 2.06% | 1.96% | 4.19% | 4.95% | 1.31% |
GCAD Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 1.76% | 2.06% | 4.94% | 3.62% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GABF and GCAD have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GCAD has higher volatility (7.49%) compared to GABF (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABF dropped -20.86% vs GCAD's -16.14%.
On 3-year performance, GCAD leads with 35.11% vs 21.78% for GABF. On fees, GCAD is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, GABF has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, GCAD has performed better with a 35.11% return vs 21.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GCAD is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for GABF.
GABF has the higher dividend yield at 2.06%, compared with 1.76% for GCAD.
GABF is categorized as Financials Equities, while GCAD is Aerospace & Defense. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for GABF and 0.00% for GCAD.
GCAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs -0.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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