CRF vs. BLW

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CRF (Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Cornerstone, while BLW (BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, CRF returned 11.46%/yr vs 6.29%/yr for BLW. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CRF vs. BLW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) and BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (BLW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CRF achieves a -2.25% return, which is significantly higher than BLW's -6.22% return. Over the past 10 years, CRF has outperformed BLW with an annualized return of 11.46%, while BLW has yielded a comparatively lower 6.29% annualized return.

CRF

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: -2.25%
• 6M: -1.14%
• 1Y: 15.27%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 9.84%
• 10Y*: 11.46%

BLW

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: -6.22%
• 6M: -6.29%
• 1Y: -3.11%
• 3Y*: 8.56%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: 6.29%

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

CRF vs. BLW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	-2.25%	12.46%	44.39%	19.49%	-36.70%	39.73%	28.13%	21.74%	-11.74%	21.35%
BLW BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust	-6.22%	7.17%	11.06%	17.29%	-15.92%	13.52%	5.36%	31.08%	-10.22%	11.53%

Correlation

The correlation between CRF and BLW is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2003	0.23

The correlation between CRF and BLW shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (all time) to 0.34 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CRF vs. BLW — Risk / Return Rank

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

CRF

CRF Risk / Return Rank: 14
CRF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
CRF Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
CRF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
CRF Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
CRF Martin Ratio Rank: 13

BLW

BLW Risk / Return Rank: 25
BLW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
BLW Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BLW Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BLW Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
BLW Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

CRF vs. BLW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) and BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (BLW). 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.

	CRF	BLW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	-0.39	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	-0.48	+1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	0.93	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	-0.28	+1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.39	-0.80	+4.19

CRF vs. BLW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRF Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the BLW Sharpe Ratio of -0.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CRF and BLW, 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

CRF vs. BLW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRF drawdown since its inception was -80.70%, which is greater than BLW's maximum drawdown of -44.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRF and BLW.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRF	BLW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.70%	-44.13%	-36.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-11.19%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.66%	-11.19%	-18.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.12%	-26.30%	-16.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.90%	-41.85%	-4.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.04%	-8.22%	+4.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.30%	-6.04%	-16.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.52%	3.89%	+0.63%

Volatility

CRF vs. BLW - Volatility Comparison

Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) has a higher volatility of 3.03% compared to BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (BLW) at 2.07%. This indicates that CRF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BLW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CRF	BLW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.07%	+0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.47%	7.06%	+6.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	8.04%	+7.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.07%	12.32%	+12.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.87%	14.60%	+11.27%

Dividends

CRF vs. BLW - Dividend Comparison

CRF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.75%, more than BLW's 11.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLW BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust	11.11%	9.89%	9.39%	8.63%	8.26%	6.99%	7.39%	6.27%	7.14%	6.24%	9.68%	8.26%
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	19.75%	17.38%	14.32%	19.94%	29.31%	13.41%	18.91%	21.67%	24.85%	17.96%	24.08%	23.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CRF and BLW in my portfolio?

CRF and BLW have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CRF or BLW?

CRF has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to BLW (2.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRF dropped -80.70% vs BLW's -44.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CRF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs -0.39), 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.