GDL vs. GABTX
GDL (The GDL Fund) and GABTX (Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund) are both mutual funds - GDL is a Event Driven fund managed by Gabelli, while GABTX is a Communications Equities fund managed by Gabelli. Over the past 10 years, GDL returned 3.99%/yr vs 7.55%/yr for GABTX. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDL charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for GABTX.
Performance
GDL vs. GABTX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDL achieves a 2.66% return, which is significantly lower than GABTX's 12.37% return. Over the past 10 years, GDL has underperformed GABTX with an annualized return of 3.99%, while GABTX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.55% annualized return.
GDL
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 1.32%
- YTD
- 2.66%
- 6M
- 2.90%
- 1Y
- 7.37%
- 3Y*
- 9.07%
- 5Y*
- 4.57%
- 10Y*
- 3.99%
GABTX
- 1D
- -1.17%
- 1M
- -1.99%
- YTD
- 12.37%
- 6M
- 12.96%
- 1Y
- 31.84%
- 3Y*
- 22.37%
- 5Y*
- 6.53%
- 10Y*
- 7.55%
GDL vs. GABTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDL The GDL Fund | 2.66% | 11.83% | 5.94% | 9.02% | -6.88% | 8.04% | -0.99% | 5.87% | -1.60% | 4.74% |
GABTX Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund | 12.37% | 27.50% | 14.94% | 22.81% | -28.59% | 5.15% | 16.44% | 15.63% | -11.90% | 13.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between GDL and GABTX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2007 | 0.40 |
Over the past year, the correlation between GDL and GABTX has dropped to 0.17 - well below their long-term average of 0.40, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
GDL vs. GABTX — Risk / Return Rank
GDL
GABTX
GDL vs. GABTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The GDL Fund (GDL) and Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund (GABTX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| GDL | GABTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.40 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.31 | 3.72 | -1.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.21 | 9.15 | -1.94 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
GDL vs. GABTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDL drawdown since its inception was -38.74%, smaller than the maximum GABTX drawdown of -69.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDL and GABTX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| GDL | GABTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.74% | -69.14% | +30.40% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.21% | -9.11% | +5.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.00% | -15.69% | +9.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.48% | -39.83% | +30.35% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.74% | -39.83% | +1.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -6.12% | +6.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.91% | -16.55% | +11.64% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.02% | 3.70% | -2.68% |
Volatility
GDL vs. GABTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for The GDL Fund (GDL) is 1.42%, while Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund (GABTX) has a volatility of 6.21%. This indicates that GDL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GABTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| GDL | GABTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.42% | 6.21% | -4.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.98% | 11.37% | -6.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.16% | 14.64% | -7.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.63% | 16.54% | -7.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.97% | 16.45% | -3.48% |
GDL vs. GABTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDL has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GABTX's 0.96% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDL vs. GABTX - Dividend Comparison
GDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.68%, less than GABTX's 15.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABTX Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund | 15.90% | 17.87% | 0.00% | 0.32% | 2.28% | 6.72% | 3.08% | 6.45% | 6.03% | 6.41% | 7.02% | 8.31% |
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
GDL and GABTX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GABTX has higher volatility (6.21%) compared to GDL (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDL dropped -38.74% vs GABTX's -69.14%.
GABTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.04), 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.
Find the right allocation for GDL and GABTX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer