GMWAX vs. GBFFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GMWAX (GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund) and GBFFX (GMO Benchmark-Free Fund) are both Global Allocation funds from GMO. Over the past 10 years, GMWAX returned 7.57%/yr vs 7.13%/yr for GBFFX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GMWAX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for GBFFX.

Performance

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GMWAX having a 12.22% return and GBFFX slightly lower at 11.70%. Over the past 10 years, GMWAX has outperformed GBFFX with an annualized return of 7.57%, while GBFFX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.13% annualized return.

GMWAX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 4.15%
• YTD: 12.22%
• 6M: 14.10%
• 1Y: 29.29%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: 6.50%
• 10Y*: 7.57%

GBFFX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 3.38%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 13.97%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 15.64%
• 5Y*: 7.99%
• 10Y*: 7.13%

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

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GMWAX GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund	12.22%	23.40%	0.23%	16.17%	-12.71%	7.03%	6.15%	17.70%	-7.21%	15.73%
GBFFX GMO Benchmark-Free Fund	11.70%	24.07%	0.40%	15.24%	-3.36%	4.38%	-3.35%	13.79%	-7.12%	17.06%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

GMWAX vs. GBFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMWAX

GMWAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
GMWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
GMWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
GMWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
GMWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GMWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

GBFFX

GBFFX Risk / Return Rank: 96
GBFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GBFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
GBFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GBFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GBFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	GMWAX	GBFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.40	4.23	-0.83
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.80	6.09	-1.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.86	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.31	5.16	-0.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.61	19.88	-3.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMWAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.40, which is comparable to the GBFFX Sharpe Ratio of 4.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMWAX and GBFFX, 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

	GMWAX	GBFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.40	4.23	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	1.00	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.79	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.70	-0.38

Drawdowns

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	GMWAX	GBFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.69%	-26.62%	-15.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.87%	-5.67%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.17%	-10.18%	-2.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.47%	-15.91%	-6.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.12%	-26.62%	+1.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.23%	-4.37%	-6.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.47%	+0.31%

Volatility

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Volatility Comparison

GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund (GMWAX) has a higher volatility of 3.05% compared to GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX) at 2.36%. This indicates that GMWAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GMWAX	GBFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	2.36%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.91%	5.38%	+1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.81%	7.00%	+1.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.01%	8.07%	+1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.35%	9.08%	+1.27%

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GMWAX vs. GBFFX - Dividend Comparison

GMWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, less than GBFFX's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBFFX GMO Benchmark-Free Fund	4.58%	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	4.34%	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 GMWAX and GBFFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, GMWAX and GBFFX 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, GMWAX or GBFFX?

GMWAX has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to GBFFX (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMWAX dropped -41.69% vs GBFFX's -26.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.22 vs 3.40), 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.