GABEX vs. CRF

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF).

GABEX is managed by Gabelli. It was launched on Jan 2, 1992. CRF is managed by Cornerstone. It was launched on Jan 2, 1990.

Performance

GABEX vs. CRF - Performance Comparison

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

GABEX vs. CRF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	0.13%	4.33%	6.62%	8.25%	-5.22%	23.28%	7.54%	75.11%	-11.37%	15.16%
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	-8.05%	12.46%	44.39%	19.49%	-36.70%	39.73%	28.13%	21.74%	-11.74%	21.35%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABEX achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly higher than CRF's -8.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GABEX having a 11.38% annualized return and CRF not far ahead at 11.40%.

GABEX

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: -7.94%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 6M: 2.41%
• 1Y: 2.04%
• 3Y*: 5.65%
• 5Y*: 4.97%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

CRF

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -3.17%
• YTD: -8.05%
• 6M: -4.88%
• 1Y: 19.18%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 5.92%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

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

GABEX vs. CRF - Expense Ratio Comparison

GABEX has a 1.42% expense ratio, which is lower than CRF's 1.84% expense ratio.

CRF

Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.

GABEX

Gabelli Equity Income Fund

Return for Risk

GABEX vs. CRF — Risk / Return Rank

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

GABEX

GABEX Risk / Return Rank: 7
GABEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GABEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
GABEX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
GABEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GABEX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

CRF

CRF Risk / Return Rank: 50
CRF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
CRF Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
CRF Omega Ratio Rank: 49
CRF Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
CRF Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

GABEX vs. CRF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF). 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.

	GABEX	CRF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	0.96	-0.81
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.30	1.47	-1.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.21	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.10	1.34	-1.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.22	4.90	-4.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GABEX vs. CRF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the CRF Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABEX and CRF, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GABEX	CRF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14	0.96	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.23	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.44	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.05	+0.55

Correlation

The correlation between GABEX and CRF is 0.27, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

GABEX vs. CRF - Dividend Comparison

GABEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.61%, less than CRF's 19.94% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	19.61%	20.83%	33.06%	23.48%	20.49%	19.96%	32.82%	65.43%	31.87%	17.83%	16.63%	7.78%
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	19.94%	17.38%	14.32%	19.94%	29.31%	13.41%	18.91%	21.67%	24.85%	17.96%	24.08%	23.58%

Drawdowns

GABEX vs. CRF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABEX drawdown since its inception was -52.25%, smaller than the maximum CRF drawdown of -80.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABEX and CRF.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABEX	CRF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.25%	-80.70%	+28.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-14.88%	+1.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.59%	-43.12%	+25.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.27%	-45.90%	+8.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.39%	-9.74%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-22.39%	+17.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.13%	4.08%	+2.05%

Volatility

GABEX vs. CRF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) is 5.46%, while Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) has a volatility of 7.96%. This indicates that GABEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CRF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABEX	CRF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	7.96%	-2.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.06%	12.73%	-3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.09%	20.15%	-2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	25.82%	-10.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.32%	25.86%	-4.54%