GDL vs. GABEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDL (The GDL Fund) and GABEX (Gabelli Equity Income Fund) are both mutual funds - GDL is a Event Driven fund managed by Gabelli, while GABEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Gabelli. Over the past 10 years, GDL returned 3.91%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for GABEX. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDL charges 0.03%/yr vs 1.42%/yr for GABEX.

Performance

GDL vs. GABEX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDL achieves a 1.21% return, which is significantly lower than GABEX's 7.33% return. Over the past 10 years, GDL has underperformed GABEX with an annualized return of 3.91%, while GABEX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.74% annualized return.

GDL

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: 2.88%
• 1Y: 7.66%
• 3Y*: 8.41%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 3.91%

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%

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

GDL vs. GABEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GDL The GDL Fund	1.21%	11.83%	5.94%	9.02%	-6.88%	8.04%	-0.99%	5.87%	-1.60%	4.74%
GABEX Gabelli Equity Income Fund	7.33%	4.33%	6.62%	8.25%	-5.22%	23.28%	7.54%	75.11%	-11.37%	15.16%

Correlation

The correlation between GDL and GABEX is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 24, 2007	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between GDL and GABEX has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GDL vs. GABEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDL

GDL Risk / Return Rank: 23
GDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
GDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
GDL Omega Ratio Rank: 13
GDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
GDL Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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

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.

GDL vs. GABEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The GDL Fund (GDL) and Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX). 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.

	GDL	GABEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	0.44	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	0.63	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.11	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	0.51	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.55	1.09	+6.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDL vs. GABEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDL Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is higher than the GABEX Sharpe Ratio of 0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDL and GABEX, 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

	GDL	GABEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	0.44	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.32	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.55	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.60	-0.37

Drawdowns

GDL vs. GABEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDL drawdown since its inception was -38.74%, smaller than the maximum GABEX drawdown of -52.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDL and GABEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDL	GABEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.74%	-52.25%	+13.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-13.11%	+9.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.00%	-14.75%	+8.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.48%	-17.59%	+8.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.74%	-37.27%	-1.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-2.87%	+2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.93%	-5.16%	+0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.02%	6.07%	-5.05%

Volatility

GDL vs. GABEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The GDL Fund (GDL) is 1.54%, while Gabelli Equity Income Fund (GABEX) has a volatility of 3.32%. This indicates that GDL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GABEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDL	GABEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.54%	3.32%	-1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	9.05%	-3.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.26%	15.04%	-7.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.64%	15.24%	-6.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.97%	21.33%	-8.36%

GDL vs. GABEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDL has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GABEX's 1.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDL vs. GABEX - Dividend Comparison

GDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.68%, less than GABEX's 21.32% 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%
GDL The GDL Fund	5.68%	5.67%	5.99%	5.97%	6.12%	5.38%	5.28%	4.30%	4.36%	5.96%	6.50%	6.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDL and GABEX in my portfolio?

GDL and GABEX have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDL or GABEX?

GABEX has higher volatility (3.32%) compared to GDL (1.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDL dropped -38.74% vs GABEX's -52.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 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.