SEA vs. GABF

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) and GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while GABF is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli. SEA is passively managed, while GABF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEA returned 16.20%/yr vs 20.10%/yr for GABF. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GABF.

Performance

SEA vs. GABF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEA achieves a 21.56% return, which is significantly higher than GABF's -2.34% return.

SEA

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.59%
• 6M: 15.11%
• YTD: 21.56%
• 1Y: 28.55%
• 3Y*: 16.20%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GABF

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 1.32%
• 6M: -5.40%
• YTD: -2.34%
• 1Y: -4.10%
• 3Y*: 20.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEA vs. GABF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	21.56%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-17.13%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-2.34%	3.60%	44.38%	38.92%	-0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SEA and GABF is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2022	0.45

SEA vs. GABF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEA	GABF
Industrials	89.6%	4.9%
Energy	8.4%	-
Technology	0.1%	5.2%
Communication Services	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	85.6%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	4.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SEA vs. GABF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 66
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 68

GABF

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

SEA vs. GABF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). 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.

	SEA	GABF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	-0.23	+1.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	-0.20	+2.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	0.98	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	-0.24	+2.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.78	-0.53	+10.31

SEA vs. GABF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the GABF Sharpe Ratio of -0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEA and GABF, 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

SEA vs. GABF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEA drawdown since its inception was -39.53%, which is greater than GABF's maximum drawdown of -20.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEA and GABF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEA	GABF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.53%	-20.86%	-18.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-17.16%	+6.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.42%	-20.86%	-11.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.45%	-7.14%	+4.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.07%	-4.94%	-9.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	7.78%	-4.85%

Volatility

SEA vs. GABF - Volatility Comparison

U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) has a higher volatility of 6.03% compared to Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) at 4.51%. This indicates that SEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GABF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEA	GABF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	4.51%	+1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.13%	13.37%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.98%	17.59%	-0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.61%	20.45%	+1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.61%	20.45%	+1.16%

SEA vs. GABF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than GABF's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEA vs. GABF - Dividend Comparison

SEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.56%, more than GABF's 2.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.01%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.56%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEA and GABF in my portfolio?

SEA and GABF have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEA or GABF?

SEA has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to GABF (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEA dropped -39.53% vs GABF's -20.86%.

Which ETF is better, SEA or GABF?

On 3-year performance, GABF leads with 20.10% vs 16.20% for SEA. On fees, GABF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, GABF has been the lower-risk option at 4.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEA or GABF?

Over the 3-year period, GABF has performed better with a 20.10% return vs 16.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEA or GABF?

GABF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEA or GABF?

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.56%, compared with 2.01% for GABF.

What is the main difference between SEA and GABF?

SEA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while GABF is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: US Global and Gabelli. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEA and 0.10% for GABF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -0.23), 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.