GABEX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GABEX (Gabelli Equity Income Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, GABEX returned 4.92%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GABEX charges 1.42%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

GABEX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABEX achieves a 7.33% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.71% return.

GABEX

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 6M: 7.91%
• 1Y: 6.25%
• 3Y*: 8.70%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

GABEX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	7.33%	4.33%	6.62%	8.25%	-5.22%	23.28%	7.54%	75.11%	-11.37%	14.17%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between GABEX and VFFSX is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.82

The correlation between GABEX and VFFSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GABEX vs. VFFSX — 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: 6
GABEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
GABEX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
GABEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
GABEX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.44	2.52	-2.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	3.42	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.46	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	3.36	-2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.09	15.70	-14.60
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. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.44, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABEX and VFFSX, 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	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44	2.52	-2.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.85	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.86	-0.25

Drawdowns

GABEX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABEX drawdown since its inception was -52.25%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABEX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABEX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.25%	-33.82%	-18.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-8.90%	-4.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.75%	-18.75%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.59%	-24.51%	+6.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.87%	0.00%	-2.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-4.50%	-0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.07%	1.90%	+4.17%

Volatility

GABEX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) has a higher volatility of 3.32% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) at 2.83%. This indicates that GABEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABEX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	2.83%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.05%	8.98%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.04%	11.86%	+3.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.24%	16.90%	-1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.33%	18.41%	+2.92%

GABEX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GABEX has a 1.42% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

GABEX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

GABEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.32%, more than VFFSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	21.32%	20.83%	33.06%	23.48%	20.49%	19.96%	32.82%	65.43%	31.87%	17.83%	16.63%	7.78%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GABEX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

GABEX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.67, 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 VFFSX?

GABEX has higher volatility (3.32%) compared to VFFSX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABEX dropped -52.25% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.44), 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.