GABEX vs. FAFTX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GABEX (Gabelli Equity Income Fund) and FAFTX (Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund Advisor Class) are both mutual funds - GABEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Gabelli, while FAFTX is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, GABEX returned 11.63%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for FAFTX. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. GABEX charges 1.42%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for FAFTX.

Performance

GABEX vs. FAFTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) and Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund Advisor Class (FAFTX). 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 FAFTX's 1.95% return. Over the past 10 years, GABEX has outperformed FAFTX with an annualized return of 11.63%, while FAFTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.30% annualized return.

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%

FAFTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 1.95%
• 6M: 2.49%
• 1Y: 8.33%
• 3Y*: 4.89%
• 5Y*: 1.17%
• 10Y*: 2.30%

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

GABEX vs. FAFTX - 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%
FAFTX Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund Advisor Class	1.95%	4.88%	3.98%	6.80%	-11.57%	2.62%	5.74%	7.44%	0.79%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GABEX and FAFTX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2002	-0.12

The correlation between GABEX and FAFTX shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GABEX vs. FAFTX — 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

FAFTX

FAFTX Risk / Return Rank: 66
FAFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FAFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FAFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FAFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
FAFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. FAFTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) and Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund Advisor Class (FAFTX). 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	FAFTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	2.42	-2.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.55	3.89	-3.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.59	-0.50
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	2.64	-2.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.04	9.45	-8.42
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. FAFTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the FAFTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABEX and FAFTX, 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	FAFTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37	2.42	-2.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.25	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.54	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	1.02	-0.42

Drawdowns

GABEX vs. FAFTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABEX drawdown since its inception was -52.25%, which is greater than FAFTX's maximum drawdown of -17.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABEX and FAFTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABEX	FAFTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.25%	-17.02%	-35.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-3.10%	-10.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.75%	-6.97%	-7.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.59%	-17.02%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.27%	-17.02%	-20.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.81%	-0.26%	-3.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-2.14%	-3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.07%	0.87%	+5.20%

Volatility

GABEX vs. FAFTX - Volatility Comparison

Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) has a higher volatility of 3.27% compared to Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund Advisor Class (FAFTX) at 1.26%. This indicates that GABEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAFTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABEX	FAFTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.27%	1.26%	+2.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	2.42%	+6.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.04%	3.29%	+11.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.24%	4.65%	+10.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.33%	4.28%	+17.05%

GABEX vs. FAFTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GABEX has a 1.42% expense ratio, which is higher than FAFTX's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

GABEX vs. FAFTX - Dividend Comparison

GABEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.53%, more than FAFTX's 3.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAFTX Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund Advisor Class	3.89%	5.05%	4.37%	3.23%	3.34%	2.74%	2.97%	3.92%	3.86%	3.90%	3.63%	3.88%
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 FAFTX in my portfolio?

GABEX and FAFTX have a correlation of 0.21, 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 FAFTX?

GABEX has higher volatility (3.27%) compared to FAFTX (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABEX dropped -52.25% vs FAFTX's -17.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAFTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 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.