GDV vs. GAB

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GDV (The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust) and GAB (The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc) are both mutual funds - GDV is a Dividend fund managed by Gabelli Funds, while GAB is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Gabelli Funds. Over the past 10 years, GDV returned 11.10%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for GAB. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.01% expense ratio.

Performance

GDV vs. GAB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust (GDV) and The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc (GAB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDV achieves a 7.65% return, which is significantly higher than GAB's -3.79% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GDV having a 11.10% annualized return and GAB not far ahead at 11.38%.

GDV

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 8.43%
• 1Y: 24.32%
• 3Y*: 19.36%
• 5Y*: 8.70%
• 10Y*: 11.10%

GAB

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: 2.91%
• YTD: -3.79%
• 6M: -3.79%
• 1Y: 9.32%
• 3Y*: 10.79%
• 5Y*: 5.96%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

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

GDV vs. GAB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDV The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust	7.65%	22.83%	18.14%	11.93%	-18.61%	32.83%	4.89%	27.73%	-17.13%	24.19%
GAB The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc	-3.79%	27.03%	18.05%	3.37%	-16.30%	28.26%	14.70%	31.62%	-8.77%	24.66%

Correlation

The correlation between GDV and GAB is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2003	0.64

The correlation between GDV and GAB shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.64 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GDV vs. GAB — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDV

GDV Risk / Return Rank: 55
GDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
GDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
GDV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
GDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
GDV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

GAB

GAB Risk / Return Rank: 8
GAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
GAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
GAB Omega Ratio Rank: 8
GAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
GAB Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

GDV vs. GAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust (GDV) and The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc (GAB). 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.

	GDV	GAB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	0.64	+1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	1.02	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.12	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	0.73	+1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.69	1.82	+8.87

GDV vs. GAB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the GAB Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDV and GAB, 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

GDV vs. GAB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDV drawdown since its inception was -68.88%, smaller than the maximum GAB drawdown of -74.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDV and GAB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDV	GAB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.88%	-74.62%	+5.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.75%	-12.90%	+3.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.07%	-19.63%	+3.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.33%	-26.60%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.09%	-46.92%	-6.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-6.67%	+5.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.28%	-10.64%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	5.14%	-2.86%

Volatility

GDV vs. GAB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust (GDV) is 3.27%, while The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc (GAB) has a volatility of 4.08%. This indicates that GDV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDV	GAB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.27%	4.08%	-0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	11.99%	-2.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.85%	14.67%	-2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	18.17%	-1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.67%	21.94%	-0.27%

GDV vs. GAB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GDV and GAB have an expense ratio of 0.01%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GDV vs. GAB - Dividend Comparison

GDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.01%, less than GAB's 10.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAB The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc	10.72%	9.72%	11.15%	11.81%	10.95%	8.72%	9.57%	9.85%	12.55%	9.80%	10.87%	12.05%
GDV The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust	6.01%	6.05%	5.47%	6.10%	6.84%	5.11%	6.15%	6.01%	7.21%	5.64%	6.59%	6.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDV and GAB in my portfolio?

GDV and GAB have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDV or GAB?

GAB has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to GDV (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDV dropped -68.88% vs GAB's -74.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 0.64), 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.