GPARX vs. ACSNX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

GPARX (GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund) and ACSNX (American Century Short Duration Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, GPARX returned 3.19%/yr vs 2.25%/yr for ACSNX. Their 0.38 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GPARX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for ACSNX.

Performance

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund (GPARX) and American Century Short Duration Fund (ACSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GPARX achieves a 8.09% return, which is significantly higher than ACSNX's 0.79% return. Over the past 10 years, GPARX has outperformed ACSNX with an annualized return of 3.19%, while ACSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.25% annualized return.

GPARX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.96%
• 6M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.09%
• 1Y: 11.66%
• 3Y*: 7.82%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 3.19%
• ALL TIME*: 2.96%

ACSNX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.31%
• 6M: 0.43%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 1Y: 2.87%
• 3Y*: 4.80%
• 5Y*: 2.12%
• 10Y*: 2.25%
• ALL TIME*: 2.51%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ACSNX American Century Short Duration Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
GPARX GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GPARX GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund	8.09%	7.42%	4.20%	6.87%	-10.82%	0.75%	3.92%	7.47%	-1.64%	4.50%
ACSNX American Century Short Duration Fund	0.79%	5.65%	4.69%	4.72%	-4.68%	0.97%	4.03%	3.95%	1.35%	1.42%

Correlation

The correlation between GPARX and ACSNX is 0.11, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012	0.38

Over the past year, the correlation between GPARX and ACSNX has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.38, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GPARX vs. ACSNX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GPARX

GPARX Risk / Return Rank: 69
GPARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
GPARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
GPARX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
GPARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
GPARX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ACSNX

ACSNX Risk / Return Rank: 87
ACSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ACSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
ACSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ACSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ACSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund (GPARX) and American Century Short Duration Fund (ACSNX). 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.

	GPARX	ACSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.91	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	3.62	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.50	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	2.95	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.90	12.05	-4.15

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GPARX Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the ACSNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GPARX and ACSNX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GPARX drawdown since its inception was -15.56%, which is greater than ACSNX's maximum drawdown of -6.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GPARX and ACSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GPARX	ACSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.56%	-6.50%	-9.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.68%	-1.21%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.68%	-1.21%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.56%	-6.50%	-9.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.56%	-6.50%	-9.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-0.31%	-2.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-0.58%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	0.30%	+1.24%

Volatility

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Volatility Comparison

GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund (GPARX) has a higher volatility of 2.28% compared to American Century Short Duration Fund (ACSNX) at 0.37%. This indicates that GPARX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GPARX	ACSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.28%	0.37%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.45%	1.47%	+4.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.48%	1.88%	+5.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.27%	2.22%	+3.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.36%	1.92%	+2.44%

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GPARX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than ACSNX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

GPARX vs. ACSNX - Dividend Comparison

GPARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.06%, less than ACSNX's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACSNX American Century Short Duration Fund	3.98%	4.55%	4.56%	3.96%	1.60%	1.74%	1.51%	2.59%	2.53%	1.91%	1.62%	1.73%
GPARX GuidePath Absolute Return Allocation Fund	3.06%	3.31%	4.99%	4.81%	2.42%	1.99%	2.45%	2.76%	2.27%	1.60%	3.17%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GPARX and ACSNX in my portfolio?

GPARX and ACSNX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GPARX or ACSNX?

GPARX has higher volatility (2.28%) compared to ACSNX (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GPARX dropped -15.56% vs ACSNX's -6.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.63), 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.