BGEIX vs. BCITX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BGEIX (American Century Global Gold Fund) and BCITX (American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - BGEIX is a Precious Metals fund managed by American Century, while BCITX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by American Century. Over the past 10 years, BGEIX returned 13.90%/yr vs 1.88%/yr for BCITX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BGEIX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for BCITX.

Performance

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Global Gold Fund (BGEIX) and American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund (BCITX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BGEIX achieves a 2.13% return, which is significantly higher than BCITX's 1.19% return. Over the past 10 years, BGEIX has outperformed BCITX with an annualized return of 13.90%, while BCITX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.88% annualized return.

BGEIX

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 6M: 9.50%
• 1Y: 65.37%
• 3Y*: 44.25%
• 5Y*: 19.48%
• 10Y*: 13.90%

BCITX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.63%
• 1Y: 6.31%
• 3Y*: 3.85%
• 5Y*: 1.07%
• 10Y*: 1.88%

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

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BGEIX American Century Global Gold Fund	2.13%	158.45%	15.10%	7.52%	-12.54%	-8.85%	18.92%	37.82%	-7.43%	10.62%
BCITX American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund	1.19%	4.74%	2.17%	4.75%	-7.36%	1.11%	3.71%	6.62%	0.71%	4.63%

Correlation

The correlation between BGEIX and BCITX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 1988	0.05

The correlation between BGEIX and BCITX shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BGEIX vs. BCITX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BGEIX

BGEIX Risk / Return Rank: 26
BGEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BGEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BGEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BGEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
BGEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

BCITX

BCITX Risk / Return Rank: 70
BCITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
BCITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BCITX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BCITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
BCITX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Global Gold Fund (BGEIX) and American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund (BCITX). 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.

	BGEIX	BCITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	2.85	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	4.72	-2.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.76	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	2.38	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.64	7.78	-2.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BGEIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is lower than the BCITX Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BGEIX and BCITX, 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

	BGEIX	BCITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	2.85	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.36	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.56	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	1.16	-1.00

Drawdowns

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGEIX drawdown since its inception was -78.69%, which is greater than BCITX's maximum drawdown of -12.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGEIX and BCITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGEIX	BCITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.69%	-12.17%	-66.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.55%	-2.62%	-27.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.55%	-4.25%	-26.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.62%	-11.40%	-35.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.92%	-11.40%	-40.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.73%	-0.73%	-23.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.16%	-1.92%	-33.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.54%	0.80%	+10.74%

Volatility

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Volatility Comparison

American Century Global Gold Fund (BGEIX) has a higher volatility of 13.85% compared to American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund (BCITX) at 0.85%. This indicates that BGEIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BCITX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BGEIX	BCITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.85%	0.85%	+13.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.97%	1.71%	+33.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.70%	2.19%	+40.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.61%	3.00%	+30.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.25%	3.37%	+29.88%

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BGEIX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than BCITX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

BGEIX vs. BCITX - Dividend Comparison

BGEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than BCITX's 3.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCITX American Century California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Bond Fund	3.03%	3.49%	3.40%	2.70%	1.67%	1.93%	2.22%	2.77%	2.65%	2.48%	2.42%	2.39%
BGEIX American Century Global Gold Fund	0.83%	0.85%	1.36%	1.56%	1.38%	2.13%	0.56%	0.87%	0.00%	0.00%	10.56%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BGEIX and BCITX in my portfolio?

BGEIX and BCITX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BGEIX or BCITX?

BGEIX has higher volatility (13.85%) compared to BCITX (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGEIX dropped -78.69% vs BCITX's -12.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 1.54), 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.