GABF vs. SCHW

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) is Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli, while SCHW (The Charles Schwab Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 3 years, GABF returned 20.29%/yr vs 21.69%/yr for SCHW. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GABF vs. SCHW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) and The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABF achieves a -1.86% return, which is significantly lower than SCHW's 1.90% return.

GABF

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 1.82%
• 6M: -3.76%
• YTD: -1.86%
• 1Y: -4.43%
• 3Y*: 20.29%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHW

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 10.98%
• 6M: 0.62%
• YTD: 1.90%
• 1Y: 10.44%
• 3Y*: 21.69%
• 5Y*: 8.90%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GABF vs. SCHW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-1.86%	3.60%	44.38%	38.92%	-0.04%
SCHW The Charles Schwab Corporation	1.90%	36.65%	9.17%	-15.97%	31.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GABF and SCHW is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2022	0.64

The correlation between GABF and SCHW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GABF vs. SCHW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GABF

GABF Risk / Return Rank: 7
GABF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
GABF Omega Ratio Rank: 6
GABF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

SCHW

SCHW Risk / Return Rank: 56
SCHW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SCHW Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SCHW Omega Ratio Rank: 52
SCHW Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SCHW Martin Ratio Rank: 59

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GABF vs. SCHW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) and The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GABF	SCHW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	0.42	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.23	0.69	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.09	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.26	0.53	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.57	1.16	-1.73

GABF vs. SCHW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABF Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the SCHW Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABF and SCHW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GABF vs. SCHW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABF drawdown since its inception was -20.86%, smaller than the maximum SCHW drawdown of -86.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABF and SCHW.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABF	SCHW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.86%	-86.79%	+65.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.16%	-19.83%	+2.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.86%	-27.11%	+6.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-49.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.69%	-5.04%	-1.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-35.48%	+30.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.79%	9.04%	-1.25%

Volatility

GABF vs. SCHW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) is 4.51%, while The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) has a volatility of 8.40%. This indicates that GABF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABF	SCHW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	8.40%	-3.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.37%	20.79%	-7.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	25.25%	-7.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.44%	32.18%	-11.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.44%	33.10%	-12.66%

Dividends

GABF vs. SCHW - Dividend Comparison

GABF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.00%, more than SCHW's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.00%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHW The Charles Schwab Corporation	1.17%	1.08%	1.35%	1.45%	1.01%	0.86%	1.36%	1.43%	1.11%	0.62%	0.68%	0.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GABF and SCHW in my portfolio?

GABF and SCHW have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GABF or SCHW?

SCHW has higher volatility (8.40%) compared to GABF (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABF dropped -20.86% vs SCHW's -86.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.42 vs -0.25), 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.