GCAD vs. WDAF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF).

GCAD and WDAF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GCAD is an actively managed fund by Gabelli. It was launched on Jan 3, 2023. WDAF is a passively managed fund by WisdomTree that tracks the performance of the WisdomTree Asia Defense Index. It was launched on Sep 10, 2025.

Performance

GCAD vs. WDAF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GCAD vs. WDAF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GCAD Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF	7.13%	8.72%
WDAF WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund	11.28%	-7.62%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCAD achieves a 7.13% return, which is significantly lower than WDAF's 11.28% return.

GCAD

• 1D: 3.88%
• 1M: -9.20%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 6M: 11.82%
• 1Y: 49.29%
• 3Y*: 30.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WDAF

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: -8.09%
• YTD: 11.28%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GCAD vs. WDAF - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCAD has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than WDAF's 0.45% expense ratio.

WDAF

WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund

GCAD

Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF

Return for Risk

GCAD vs. WDAF — Risk / Return Rank

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

GCAD

GCAD Risk / Return Rank: 94
GCAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
GCAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
GCAD Omega Ratio Rank: 94
GCAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCAD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

GCAD vs. WDAF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF). 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.

	GCAD	WDAF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.88	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GCAD	WDAF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.55	0.18	+1.38

Correlation

The correlation between GCAD and WDAF is 0.44, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

GCAD vs. WDAF - Dividend Comparison

GCAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, more than WDAF's 0.12% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GCAD Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF	1.92%	2.06%	4.94%	3.62%
WDAF WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund	0.12%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

GCAD vs. WDAF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCAD drawdown since its inception was -16.14%, smaller than the maximum WDAF drawdown of -18.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCAD and WDAF.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCAD	WDAF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.14%	-18.21%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.66%	-15.68%	+4.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.79%	-5.94%	+3.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GCAD	WDAF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.02%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.53%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.51%	29.89%	-8.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.15%	29.89%	-11.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.15%	29.89%	-11.74%