GBFFX vs. GMWAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GBFFX (GMO Benchmark-Free Fund) and GMWAX (GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund) are both Global Allocation funds from GMO. Over the past 10 years, GBFFX returned 7.12%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for GMWAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GBFFX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for GMWAX.

Performance

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX) and GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund (GMWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBFFX achieves a 11.97% return, which is significantly lower than GMWAX's 12.65% return. Over the past 10 years, GBFFX has underperformed GMWAX with an annualized return of 7.12%, while GMWAX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.58% annualized return.

GBFFX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.79%
• YTD: 11.97%
• 6M: 14.15%
• 1Y: 29.31%
• 3Y*: 15.75%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 7.12%

GMWAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 12.65%
• 6M: 14.18%
• 1Y: 29.63%
• 3Y*: 15.46%
• 5Y*: 6.52%
• 10Y*: 7.58%

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

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBFFX GMO Benchmark-Free Fund	11.97%	24.07%	0.40%	15.24%	-3.36%	4.38%	-3.35%	13.79%	-7.12%	17.06%
GMWAX GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund	12.65%	23.40%	0.23%	16.17%	-12.71%	7.03%	6.15%	17.70%	-7.21%	15.73%

Correlation

The correlation between GBFFX and GMWAX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2015	0.91

The correlation between GBFFX and GMWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GBFFX vs. GMWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBFFX

GBFFX Risk / Return Rank: 96
GBFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GBFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
GBFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GBFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GBFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

GMWAX

GMWAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
GMWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
GMWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GMWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
GMWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
GMWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX) and GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund (GMWAX). 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.

	GBFFX	GMWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.17	3.37	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.03	4.76	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.84	1.65	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.15	4.31	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.79	16.57	+3.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBFFX Sharpe Ratio is 4.17, which is comparable to the GMWAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBFFX and GMWAX, 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

	GBFFX	GMWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.17	3.37	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00	0.65	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.74	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.32	+0.38

Drawdowns

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBFFX drawdown since its inception was -26.62%, smaller than the maximum GMWAX drawdown of -41.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBFFX and GMWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBFFX	GMWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.62%	-41.69%	+15.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.67%	-6.87%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.18%	-13.17%	+2.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.83%	-22.47%	+6.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.62%	-25.12%	-1.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.07%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-11.23%	+6.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	1.78%	-0.31%

Volatility

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX) is 1.95%, while GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund (GMWAX) has a volatility of 2.51%. This indicates that GBFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GMWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBFFX	GMWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.95%	2.51%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.38%	6.90%	-1.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.99%	8.79%	-1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.07%	10.01%	-1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.08%	10.34%	-1.26%

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBFFX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than GMWAX's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBFFX vs. GMWAX - Dividend Comparison

GBFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than GMWAX's 4.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBFFX GMO Benchmark-Free Fund	4.57%	5.11%	1.81%	5.72%	5.48%	4.60%	3.32%	4.00%	3.92%	2.90%	2.72%	6.67%
GMWAX GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund	4.33%	4.88%	0.14%	5.47%	3.78%	6.16%	4.00%	4.00%	3.77%	2.50%	2.25%	3.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBFFX and GMWAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, GBFFX and GMWAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GBFFX or GMWAX?

GMWAX has higher volatility (2.51%) compared to GBFFX (1.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBFFX dropped -26.62% vs GMWAX's -41.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.17 vs 3.37), 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.