GABEX vs. CRF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GABEX (Gabelli Equity Income Fund) and CRF (Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.) are both mutual funds - GABEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Gabelli, while CRF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Cornerstone. Over the past 10 years, GABEX returned 11.63%/yr vs 11.35%/yr for CRF. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GABEX charges 1.42%/yr vs 1.84%/yr for CRF.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABEX achieves a 6.29% return, which is significantly higher than CRF's -2.10% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GABEX having a 11.63% annualized return and CRF not far behind at 11.35%.

GABEX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 6.29%
• 6M: 7.87%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 4.65%
• 10Y*: 11.63%

CRF

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: -2.10%
• 6M: -0.02%
• 1Y: 14.77%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

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

GABEX vs. CRF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	6.29%	4.33%	6.62%	8.25%	-5.22%	23.28%	7.54%	75.11%	-11.37%	15.16%
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	-2.10%	12.46%	44.39%	19.49%	-36.70%	39.73%	28.13%	21.74%	-11.74%	21.35%

Correlation

The correlation between GABEX and CRF 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	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1992	0.28

The correlation between GABEX and CRF shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (all time) to 0.49 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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: 5
GABEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
GABEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
GABEX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
GABEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
GABEX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

CRF

CRF Risk / Return Rank: 11
CRF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
CRF Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
CRF Omega Ratio Rank: 13
CRF Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
CRF Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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	0.37	0.97	-0.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.55	1.42	-0.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.19	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	1.00	-0.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.04	3.39	-2.35
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 0.37, which is lower than the CRF Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABEX and CRF, 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

	GABEX	CRF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37	0.97	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.40	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.44	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.05	+0.55

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 (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.75%	-29.66%	+14.91%
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	-3.81%	-3.90%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-22.32%	+17.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.07%	4.40%	+1.67%

Volatility

GABEX vs. CRF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) is 3.27%, while Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) has a volatility of 3.92%. 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	3.27%	3.92%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	13.27%	-4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.04%	15.30%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.24%	25.06%	-9.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.33%	25.86%	-4.53%

GABEX vs. CRF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GABEX vs. CRF - Dividend Comparison

GABEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.53%, more than CRF's 19.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	19.39%	17.38%	14.32%	19.94%	29.31%	13.41%	18.91%	21.67%	24.85%	17.96%	24.08%	23.58%
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	21.53%	20.83%	33.06%	23.48%	20.49%	19.96%	32.82%	65.43%	31.87%	17.83%	16.63%	7.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GABEX and CRF in my portfolio?

GABEX and CRF 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, GABEX or CRF?

CRF has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to GABEX (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABEX dropped -52.25% vs CRF's -80.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CRF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs 0.37), 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.