GABUX vs. MMUFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GABUX (Gabelli Utilities Fund) and MMUFX (MFS Utilities Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GABUX returned 6.19%/yr vs 8.36%/yr for MMUFX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GABUX charges 1.39%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for MMUFX.

Performance

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) and MFS Utilities Fund (MMUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GABUX achieves a 6.64% return, which is significantly higher than MMUFX's 4.62% return. Over the past 10 years, GABUX has underperformed MMUFX with an annualized return of 6.19%, while MMUFX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.36% annualized return.

GABUX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -3.78%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 5.87%
• 1Y: 16.03%
• 3Y*: 11.89%
• 5Y*: 6.03%
• 10Y*: 6.19%

MMUFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -5.35%
• YTD: 4.62%
• 6M: 3.38%
• 1Y: 13.86%
• 3Y*: 10.18%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 8.36%

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

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GABUX Gabelli Utilities Fund	6.64%	16.86%	14.38%	-6.59%	-5.40%	17.44%	-3.45%	18.37%	-2.83%	8.24%
MMUFX MFS Utilities Fund	4.62%	14.32%	11.38%	-2.28%	0.35%	13.86%	6.04%	24.91%	0.85%	14.69%

Correlation

The correlation between GABUX and MMUFX is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 1999	0.88

The correlation between GABUX and MMUFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GABUX vs. MMUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GABUX

GABUX Risk / Return Rank: 25
GABUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
GABUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
GABUX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
GABUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
GABUX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

MMUFX

MMUFX Risk / Return Rank: 13
MMUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
MMUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MMUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
MMUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
MMUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) and MFS Utilities Fund (MMUFX). 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.

	GABUX	MMUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	0.86	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	1.25	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.16	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	1.41	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.84	3.75	+3.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GABUX Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is higher than the MMUFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GABUX and MMUFX, 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

	GABUX	MMUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.35	0.86	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.47	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.50	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.63	-0.39

Drawdowns

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GABUX drawdown since its inception was -48.88%, smaller than the maximum MMUFX drawdown of -56.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABUX and MMUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GABUX	MMUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.88%	-56.03%	+7.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.14%	-8.75%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-17.72%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.98%	-21.64%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.64%	-35.82%	+2.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.16%	-7.32%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.14%	-8.75%	-3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	3.30%	-1.18%

Volatility

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) is 3.75%, while MFS Utilities Fund (MMUFX) has a volatility of 5.49%. This indicates that GABUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MMUFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GABUX	MMUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	5.49%	-1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.30%	11.45%	-3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.71%	14.28%	-3.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.70%	15.81%	-1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.27%	16.64%	-0.37%

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GABUX has a 1.39% expense ratio, which is higher than MMUFX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

GABUX vs. MMUFX - Dividend Comparison

GABUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.39%, more than MMUFX's 3.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GABUX Gabelli Utilities Fund	18.39%	18.27%	22.50%	16.89%	13.44%	11.03%	11.58%	9.31%	9.50%	8.45%	9.49%	9.66%
MMUFX MFS Utilities Fund	3.66%	3.83%	3.72%	5.82%	8.68%	5.61%	5.80%	6.85%	4.29%	2.67%	3.72%	9.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GABUX and MMUFX in my portfolio?

GABUX and MMUFX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GABUX or MMUFX?

MMUFX has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to GABUX (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GABUX dropped -48.88% vs MMUFX's -56.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GABUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.86), 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.