FESGX vs. FEBAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FESGX (First Eagle Global Fund Class C) and FEBAX (First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A) are both Global Allocation funds from First Eagle. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FESGX returned 9.16%/yr vs 8.58%/yr for FEBAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FESGX charges 1.86%/yr vs 1.17%/yr for FEBAX.

Performance

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FESGX achieves a 5.19% return, which is significantly lower than FEBAX's 7.55% return. Over the past 10 years, FESGX has outperformed FEBAX with an annualized return of 9.16%, while FEBAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.58% annualized return.

FESGX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 5.19%
• 6M: 4.91%
• 1Y: 22.42%
• 3Y*: 16.06%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: 9.16%

FEBAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -0.96%
• YTD: 7.55%
• 6M: 7.98%
• 1Y: 20.13%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 9.45%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

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

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FESGX First Eagle Global Fund Class C	5.19%	30.64%	10.94%	11.92%	-7.17%	11.35%	7.50%	19.26%	-9.13%	12.62%
FEBAX First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A	7.55%	26.23%	8.12%	7.85%	-3.55%	11.39%	4.74%	14.92%	-6.50%	12.96%

Correlation

The correlation between FESGX and FEBAX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2012	0.92

The correlation between FESGX and FEBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FESGX vs. FEBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FESGX

FESGX Risk / Return Rank: 40
FESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
FESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
FESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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: 39
FEBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FESGX	FEBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.23	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.03	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.42	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	2.27	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.82	7.18	-0.36

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the FEBAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FESGX and FEBAX, 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

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FESGX drawdown since its inception was -37.54%, which is greater than FEBAX's maximum drawdown of -23.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FESGX and FEBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FESGX	FEBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.54%	-23.04%	-14.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.58%	-8.65%	-1.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.58%	-8.65%	-1.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.00%	-15.85%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.77%	-23.04%	-4.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.17%	-4.13%	-1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.53%	-2.95%	-1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	2.73%	+0.45%

Volatility

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Volatility Comparison

First Eagle Global Fund Class C (FESGX) has a higher volatility of 3.89% compared to First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A (FEBAX) at 2.78%. This indicates that FESGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FESGX	FEBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.89%	2.78%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.72%	7.57%	+2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.66%	8.80%	+2.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.03%	9.01%	+3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.54%	9.26%	+3.28%

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FESGX has a 1.86% expense ratio, which is higher than FEBAX's 1.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

FESGX vs. FEBAX - Dividend Comparison

FESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.72%, more than FEBAX's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEBAX First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund Class A	3.87%	4.14%	5.39%	2.80%	3.03%	7.61%	3.07%	2.49%	2.40%	2.51%	3.13%	3.38%
FESGX First Eagle Global Fund Class C	8.72%	9.18%	4.84%	2.85%	4.25%	5.44%	1.61%	4.69%	5.71%	3.61%	4.48%	1.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FESGX and FEBAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FESGX and FEBAX 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, FESGX or FEBAX?

FESGX has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to FEBAX (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FESGX dropped -37.54% vs FEBAX's -23.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.86), 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.