GABBX vs. GDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GABBX (Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund) and GDL (The GDL Fund) are both mutual funds - GABBX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Gabelli, while GDL is a Event Driven fund managed by Gabelli. Over the past 10 years, GABBX returned 8.92%/yr vs 3.93%/yr for GDL. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GABBX charges 2.00%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for GDL.

Performance

GABBX vs. GDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund (GABBX) and The GDL Fund (GDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABBX achieves a 7.36% return, which is significantly higher than GDL's 1.33% return. Over the past 10 years, GABBX has outperformed GDL with an annualized return of 8.92%, while GDL has yielded a comparatively lower 3.93% annualized return.

GABBX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 7.36%
• 6M: 9.54%
• 1Y: 22.79%
• 3Y*: 13.73%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 8.92%

GDL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 8.31%
• 3Y*: 8.45%
• 5Y*: 4.69%
• 10Y*: 3.93%

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

GABBX vs. GDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GABBX Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund	7.36%	17.41%	10.13%	7.61%	-9.62%	20.18%	5.09%	26.43%	-10.90%	12.10%
GDL The GDL Fund	1.33%	11.83%	5.94%	9.02%	-6.88%	8.04%	-0.99%	5.87%	-1.60%	4.74%

Correlation

The correlation between GABBX and GDL is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 24, 2007	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between GABBX and GDL has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GABBX vs. GDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

GABBX

GABBX Risk / Return Rank: 54
GABBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
GABBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
GABBX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
GABBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
GABBX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

GDL

GDL Risk / Return Rank: 21
GDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
GDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
GDL Omega Ratio Rank: 14
GDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
GDL Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

GABBX vs. GDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund (GABBX) and The GDL Fund (GDL). 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.

	GABBX	GDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.15	+0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	1.63	+1.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.20	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	2.15	+1.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.18	6.79	+4.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GABBX vs. GDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the GDL Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABBX and GDL, 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

	GABBX	GDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.15	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.54	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.30	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.23	+0.10

Drawdowns

GABBX vs. GDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABBX drawdown since its inception was -60.85%, which is greater than GDL's maximum drawdown of -38.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABBX and GDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABBX	GDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.85%	-38.74%	-22.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-3.21%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.01%	-6.00%	-9.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.42%	-9.48%	-11.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.64%	-38.74%	+0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.65%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.14%	-4.93%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	1.01%	+1.12%

Volatility

GABBX vs. GDL - Volatility Comparison

Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund (GABBX) has a higher volatility of 2.60% compared to The GDL Fund (GDL) at 1.55%. This indicates that GABBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABBX	GDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	1.55%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.35%	5.27%	+3.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.68%	7.38%	+4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.54%	8.64%	+5.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.34%	12.97%	+4.37%

GABBX vs. GDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

GABBX has a 2.00% expense ratio, which is higher than GDL's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GABBX vs. GDL - Dividend Comparison

GABBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.75%, more than GDL's 5.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABBX Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund	11.75%	12.62%	12.57%	1.43%	1.71%	11.25%	2.90%	4.42%	11.77%	16.73%	5.97%	3.35%
GDL The GDL Fund	5.67%	5.67%	5.99%	5.97%	6.12%	5.38%	5.28%	4.30%	4.36%	5.96%	6.50%	6.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GABBX and GDL in my portfolio?

GABBX and GDL have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GABBX or GDL?

GABBX has higher volatility (2.60%) compared to GDL (1.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABBX dropped -60.85% vs GDL's -38.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GABBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.15), 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.