GAB vs. RIDAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GAB (The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc) and RIDAX (The Income Fund of America Class R-1) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GAB returned 10.80%/yr vs 7.60%/yr for RIDAX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GAB charges 0.01%/yr vs 1.36%/yr for RIDAX.

Performance

GAB vs. RIDAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc (GAB) and The Income Fund of America Class R-1 (RIDAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAB achieves a -5.84% return, which is significantly lower than RIDAX's 5.48% return. Over the past 10 years, GAB has outperformed RIDAX with an annualized return of 10.80%, while RIDAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.60% annualized return.

GAB

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: -5.84%
• 6M: -3.81%
• 1Y: 8.29%
• 3Y*: 12.22%
• 5Y*: 5.12%
• 10Y*: 10.80%

RIDAX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 6.45%
• 1Y: 14.26%
• 3Y*: 12.59%
• 5Y*: 6.67%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

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

GAB vs. RIDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAB The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc	-5.84%	27.03%	18.05%	3.37%	-16.30%	28.26%	14.70%	31.62%	-8.77%	24.66%
RIDAX The Income Fund of America Class R-1	5.48%	16.83%	9.49%	6.16%	-7.14%	16.47%	3.68%	17.57%	-6.06%	11.86%

Correlation

The correlation between GAB and RIDAX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2003	0.65

The correlation between GAB and RIDAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.65 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GAB vs. RIDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAB

GAB Risk / Return Rank: 7
GAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
GAB Omega Ratio Rank: 7
GAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GAB Martin Ratio Rank: 7

RIDAX

RIDAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
RIDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
RIDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
RIDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
RIDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
RIDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

GAB vs. RIDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc (GAB) and The Income Fund of America Class R-1 (RIDAX). 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.

	GAB	RIDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	2.01	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	2.84	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.36	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	2.34	-1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.72	8.65	-6.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAB vs. RIDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAB Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the RIDAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAB and RIDAX, 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

	GAB	RIDAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57	2.01	-1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.71	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.71	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.68	-0.35

Drawdowns

GAB vs. RIDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAB drawdown since its inception was -74.62%, which is greater than RIDAX's maximum drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAB and RIDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAB	RIDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.62%	-42.37%	-32.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.90%	-6.13%	-6.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.63%	-8.71%	-10.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.60%	-16.28%	-10.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.92%	-26.22%	-20.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.66%	-1.87%	-6.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.65%	-4.40%	-6.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.82%	1.66%	+3.16%

Volatility

GAB vs. RIDAX - Volatility Comparison

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc (GAB) has a higher volatility of 3.32% compared to The Income Fund of America Class R-1 (RIDAX) at 2.06%. This indicates that GAB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RIDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAB	RIDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	2.06%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.55%	5.59%	+5.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.53%	7.15%	+7.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.26%	9.48%	+8.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.93%	10.69%	+11.24%

GAB vs. RIDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAB has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than RIDAX's 1.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAB vs. RIDAX - Dividend Comparison

GAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.63%, more than RIDAX's 8.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAB The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc	10.63%	9.72%	11.15%	11.81%	10.95%	8.72%	9.57%	9.85%	12.55%	9.80%	10.87%	12.05%
RIDAX The Income Fund of America Class R-1	8.78%	9.24%	5.14%	2.38%	6.20%	5.92%	2.09%	4.25%	6.58%	3.68%	2.32%	4.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAB and RIDAX in my portfolio?

GAB and RIDAX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAB or RIDAX?

GAB has higher volatility (3.32%) compared to RIDAX (2.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAB dropped -74.62% vs RIDAX's -42.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RIDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.57), 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.