FEBAX vs. FEHIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FEBAX (First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A) and FEHIX (First Eagle High Income Fund) are both mutual funds - FEBAX is a Global Allocation fund actively managed by First Eagle, while FEHIX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by First Eagle. Over the past 10 years, FEBAX returned 8.71%/yr vs 4.50%/yr for FEHIX. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FEBAX charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEHIX.

Performance

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A (FEBAX) and First Eagle High Income Fund (FEHIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEBAX achieves a 7.04% return, which is significantly higher than FEHIX's 3.15% return. Over the past 10 years, FEBAX has outperformed FEHIX with an annualized return of 8.71%, while FEHIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.50% annualized return.

FEBAX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -1.43%
• YTD: 7.04%
• 6M: 6.99%
• 1Y: 19.31%
• 3Y*: 14.84%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: 8.71%

FEHIX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 3.15%
• 6M: 3.94%
• 1Y: 4.18%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: 2.92%
• 10Y*: 4.50%

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

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEBAX First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A	7.04%	26.23%	8.12%	7.85%	-3.55%	11.39%	4.74%	14.92%	-6.50%	12.96%
FEHIX First Eagle High Income Fund	3.15%	-0.69%	11.47%	8.46%	-8.46%	3.50%	7.33%	8.61%	-0.40%	4.62%

Correlation

The correlation between FEBAX and FEHIX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2012	0.44

The correlation between FEBAX and FEHIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (3 years) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FEBAX vs. FEHIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEBAX

FEBAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
FEBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FEBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
FEBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FEBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FEBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

FEHIX

FEHIX Risk / Return Rank: 12
FEHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
FEHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
FEHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
FEHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
FEHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A (FEBAX) and First Eagle High Income Fund (FEHIX). 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.

	FEBAX	FEHIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	0.89	+1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	1.28	+1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.19	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	0.83	+1.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.14	2.55	+4.59

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEBAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is higher than the FEHIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEBAX and FEHIX, 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

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEBAX drawdown since its inception was -23.04%, smaller than the maximum FEHIX drawdown of -29.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEBAX and FEHIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEBAX	FEHIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.04%	-29.59%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.65%	-5.22%	-3.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.65%	-9.09%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.85%	-12.56%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.04%	-16.14%	-6.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.59%	-0.30%	-4.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.95%	-4.14%	+1.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	1.69%	+1.05%

Volatility

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Volatility Comparison

First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A (FEBAX) has a higher volatility of 2.78% compared to First Eagle High Income Fund (FEHIX) at 1.11%. This indicates that FEBAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEHIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEBAX	FEHIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.78%	1.11%	+1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.59%	3.06%	+4.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.82%	4.86%	+3.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.01%	5.41%	+3.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.26%	4.97%	+4.29%

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEBAX has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than FEHIX's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEBAX vs. FEHIX - Dividend Comparison

FEBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.89%, less than FEHIX's 6.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEBAX First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A	3.89%	4.14%	5.39%	2.80%	3.03%	7.61%	3.07%	2.49%	2.40%	2.51%	3.13%	3.38%
FEHIX First Eagle High Income Fund	6.12%	5.92%	5.17%	4.40%	5.00%	3.87%	4.32%	4.40%	5.56%	5.22%	6.09%	7.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEBAX and FEHIX in my portfolio?

FEBAX and FEHIX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEBAX or FEHIX?

FEBAX has higher volatility (2.78%) compared to FEHIX (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEBAX dropped -23.04% vs FEHIX's -29.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 0.89), 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.