BDMAX vs. BGCKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BDMAX (BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund) and BGCKX (BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund Institutional Shares) are both Equity Market Neutral funds from BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BDMAX returned 8.12%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for BGCKX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BDMAX charges 1.60%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BGCKX.

Performance

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund (BDMAX) and BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund Institutional Shares (BGCKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BDMAX having a 12.35% return and BGCKX slightly higher at 12.50%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BDMAX having a 8.12% annualized return and BGCKX not far ahead at 8.39%.

BDMAX

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 5.33%
• YTD: 12.35%
• 6M: 15.46%
• 1Y: 21.54%
• 3Y*: 21.55%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: 8.12%

BGCKX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 5.31%
• YTD: 12.50%
• 6M: 15.65%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 21.89%
• 5Y*: 13.01%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

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

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BDMAX BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund	12.35%	18.08%	21.12%	14.27%	1.57%	3.11%	-0.05%	-1.02%	1.86%	12.57%
BGCKX BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund Institutional Shares	12.50%	18.38%	21.55%	14.60%	1.80%	3.42%	0.33%	-0.82%	2.22%	12.83%

Correlation

The correlation between BDMAX and BGCKX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2016	0.94

The correlation between BDMAX and BGCKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BDMAX vs. BGCKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BDMAX

BDMAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
BDMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BDMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BDMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BDMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BDMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

BGCKX

BGCKX Risk / Return Rank: 91
BGCKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BGCKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BGCKX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BGCKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BGCKX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund (BDMAX) and BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund Institutional Shares (BGCKX). 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.

	BDMAX	BGCKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.15	3.20	-0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.71	4.77	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.60	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.06	6.23	-0.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.19	17.51	-0.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BDMAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.15, which is comparable to the BGCKX Sharpe Ratio of 3.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BDMAX and BGCKX, 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

	BDMAX	BGCKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15	3.20	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.95	2.00	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.40	1.45	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.19	1.39	-0.20

Drawdowns

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDMAX drawdown since its inception was -12.37%, which is greater than BGCKX's maximum drawdown of -9.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDMAX and BGCKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDMAX	BGCKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.37%	-9.47%	-2.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.55%	-3.51%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.15%	-4.13%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.49%	-6.13%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.71%	-9.47%	-0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.82%	-2.15%	-0.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.26%	1.25%	+0.01%

Volatility

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund (BDMAX) and BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund Institutional Shares (BGCKX) have volatilities of 1.96% and 1.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BDMAX	BGCKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.96%	1.96%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.42%	4.45%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.83%	6.85%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.52%	6.52%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.81%	5.81%	0.00%

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDMAX has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is higher than BGCKX's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

BDMAX vs. BGCKX - Dividend Comparison

BDMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.96%, which matches BGCKX's 7.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BDMAX BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund	7.96%	8.94%	13.39%	7.14%	0.00%	1.25%	0.04%	6.60%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	1.56%
BGCKX BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund Institutional Shares	7.96%	8.96%	13.25%	7.49%	0.00%	1.22%	0.34%	6.80%	0.96%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BDMAX and BGCKX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, BDMAX and BGCKX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BDMAX or BGCKX?

BGCKX has higher volatility (1.96%) compared to BDMAX (1.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDMAX dropped -12.37% vs BGCKX's -9.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BGCKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 3.15), 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.