NATO vs. GCAD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NATO (Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF) and GCAD (Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds. NATO is passively managed, while GCAD is actively managed. Over the past year, NATO returned 13.50% vs 35.52% for GCAD. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NATO charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for GCAD.

Performance

NATO vs. GCAD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NATO achieves a 1.39% return, which is significantly lower than GCAD's 14.09% return.

NATO

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 7.82%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GCAD

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 14.09%
• 6M: 19.16%
• 1Y: 35.52%
• 3Y*: 33.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NATO vs. GCAD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NATO Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF	1.39%	50.95%	0.35%
GCAD Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF	14.09%	39.28%	0.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NATO and GCAD is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2024	0.81

The correlation between NATO and GCAD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NATO vs. GCAD — Risk / Return Rank

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

NATO

NATO Risk / Return Rank: 19
NATO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
NATO Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
NATO Omega Ratio Rank: 19
NATO Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NATO Martin Ratio Rank: 19

GCAD

GCAD Risk / Return Rank: 52
GCAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GCAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
GCAD Omega Ratio Rank: 52
GCAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
GCAD Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

NATO vs. GCAD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF (NATO) 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.

	NATO	GCAD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	1.86	-1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	2.70	-1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.32	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	2.38	-1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.19	8.24	-6.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NATO vs. GCAD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NATO Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the GCAD Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NATO and GCAD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NATO	GCAD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	1.86	-1.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	1.56	-0.23

Drawdowns

NATO vs. GCAD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NATO drawdown since its inception was -15.99%, roughly equal to the maximum GCAD drawdown of -16.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NATO and GCAD.

Drawdown Indicators

	NATO	GCAD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.99%	-16.14%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.99%	-14.96%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.30%	-5.92%	-6.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.71%	-3.03%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.17%	4.32%	+1.85%

Volatility

NATO vs. GCAD - Volatility Comparison

Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF (NATO) has a higher volatility of 7.97% compared to Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) at 7.14%. This indicates that NATO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCAD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NATO	GCAD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.97%	7.14%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.65%	16.33%	+1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.71%	19.25%	+1.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.61%	18.49%	+4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.61%	18.49%	+4.12%

NATO vs. GCAD - Expense Ratio Comparison

NATO has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than GCAD's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

NATO vs. GCAD - Dividend Comparison

NATO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than GCAD's 1.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GCAD Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF	1.81%	2.06%	4.94%	3.62%
NATO Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.08%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NATO and GCAD in my portfolio?

NATO and GCAD have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NATO or GCAD?

NATO has higher volatility (7.97%) compared to GCAD (7.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NATO dropped -15.99% vs GCAD's -16.14%.

Which ETF is better, NATO or GCAD?

On 1-year performance, GCAD leads with 35.52% vs 13.50% for NATO. On fees, GCAD is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, GCAD has been the lower-risk option at 7.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NATO or GCAD?

Over the 1-year period, GCAD has performed better with a 35.52% return vs 13.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NATO or GCAD?

GCAD is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NATO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NATO or GCAD?

GCAD has the higher dividend yield at 1.81%, compared with 0.44% for NATO.

What is the main difference between NATO and GCAD?

They also come from different issuers: Themes and Gabelli. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NATO and 0.00% for GCAD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.65), 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.