BALPX vs. GDL

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

BALPX (BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A) and GDL (The GDL Fund) are both Event Driven funds. Over the past 10 years, BALPX returned 5.84%/yr vs 3.89%/yr for GDL. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALPX charges 1.51%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for GDL.

Performance

BALPX vs. GDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A (BALPX) and The GDL Fund (GDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALPX achieves a 2.94% return, which is significantly higher than GDL's 2.54% return. Over the past 10 years, BALPX has outperformed GDL with an annualized return of 5.84%, while GDL has yielded a comparatively lower 3.89% annualized return.

BALPX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.99%
• 6M: 2.42%
• YTD: 2.94%
• 1Y: 5.38%
• 3Y*: 6.78%
• 5Y*: 3.91%
• 10Y*: 5.84%

GDL

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 1.08%
• 6M: 2.90%
• YTD: 2.54%
• 1Y: 7.96%
• 3Y*: 8.65%
• 5Y*: 4.59%
• 10Y*: 3.89%

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

BALPX vs. GDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BALPX BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A	2.94%	8.19%	3.98%	5.15%	-0.25%	1.61%	6.03%	7.16%	5.12%	6.88%
GDL The GDL Fund	2.54%	11.83%	5.94%	9.02%	-6.88%	8.04%	-0.99%	5.87%	-1.60%	4.74%

Correlation

The correlation between BALPX and GDL is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2007	0.36

Over the past year, the correlation between BALPX and GDL has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.36, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BALPX vs. GDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALPX

BALPX Risk / Return Rank: 80
BALPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
BALPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
BALPX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
BALPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
BALPX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

GDL

GDL Risk / Return Rank: 34
GDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
GDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
GDL Omega Ratio Rank: 22
GDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
GDL Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

BALPX vs. GDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A (BALPX) and The GDL Fund (GDL). 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.

	BALPX	GDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.06	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	1.51	+1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.18	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	2.35	+1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.59	7.41	+6.18

BALPX vs. GDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the GDL Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALPX and GDL, 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

BALPX vs. GDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALPX drawdown since its inception was -47.69%, which is greater than GDL's maximum drawdown of -38.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALPX and GDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALPX	GDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.69%	-38.74%	-8.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.51%	-3.21%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.30%	-6.00%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.30%	-9.48%	+5.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.54%	-38.74%	+27.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.59%	+0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.61%	-4.90%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.40%	1.01%	-0.61%

Volatility

BALPX vs. GDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A (BALPX) is 0.97%, while The GDL Fund (GDL) has a volatility of 1.34%. This indicates that BALPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALPX	GDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	1.34%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.19%	4.61%	-2.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90%	7.08%	-4.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.08%	8.61%	-4.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	12.96%	-7.48%

BALPX vs. GDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALPX has a 1.51% expense ratio, which is higher than GDL's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALPX vs. GDL - Dividend Comparison

BALPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, less than GDL's 5.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALPX BlackRock Event Driven Equity Fund Investor Class A	4.06%	4.18%	3.88%	1.93%	2.55%	2.57%	3.01%	3.35%	1.84%	5.02%	9.00%	77.25%
GDL The GDL Fund	5.69%	5.67%	5.99%	5.97%	6.12%	5.38%	5.28%	4.30%	4.36%	5.96%	6.50%	6.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALPX and GDL in my portfolio?

BALPX and GDL have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BALPX or GDL?

GDL has higher volatility (1.34%) compared to BALPX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALPX dropped -47.69% vs GDL's -38.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.06), 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.