GQEFX vs. GMWAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GQEFX (GMO Quality Fund Class IV) and GMWAX (GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund) are both mutual funds - GQEFX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by GMO, while GMWAX is a Global Allocation fund managed by GMO. Over the past 5 years, GQEFX returned 13.45%/yr vs 6.65%/yr for GMWAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GQEFX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for GMWAX.

Performance

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO Quality Fund Class IV (GQEFX) 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, GQEFX achieves a 5.81% return, which is significantly lower than GMWAX's 12.73% return.

GQEFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 4.21%
• YTD: 5.81%
• 6M: 6.69%
• 1Y: 22.90%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 13.45%
• 10Y*: —

GMWAX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 5.25%
• YTD: 12.73%
• 6M: 14.26%
• 1Y: 29.87%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 6.65%
• 10Y*: 7.62%

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

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GQEFX GMO Quality Fund Class IV	5.81%	19.64%	17.54%	28.95%	-15.30%	31.76%	18.39%	31.87%	0.54%	10.45%
GMWAX GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund	12.73%	23.40%	0.23%	16.17%	-12.71%	7.03%	6.15%	17.70%	-7.21%	6.61%

Correlation

The correlation between GQEFX and GMWAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2017	0.82

The correlation between GQEFX and GMWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GQEFX vs. GMWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GQEFX

GQEFX Risk / Return Rank: 35
GQEFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
GQEFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GQEFX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
GQEFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GQEFX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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: 88
GMWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO Quality Fund Class IV (GQEFX) 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.

	GQEFX	GMWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	3.41	-1.52
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	4.82	-2.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.65	-0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	4.37	-2.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	16.79	-9.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQEFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is lower than the GMWAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQEFX 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

	GQEFX	GMWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	3.41	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.67	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.32	+0.57

Drawdowns

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQEFX drawdown since its inception was -30.42%, smaller than the maximum GMWAX drawdown of -41.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQEFX and GMWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQEFX	GMWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.42%	-41.69%	+11.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.74%	-6.87%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.55%	-13.17%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.22%	-22.47%	-1.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-25.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	0.00%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.16%	-11.23%	+7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	1.78%	+1.42%

Volatility

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for GMO Quality Fund Class IV (GQEFX) is 2.78%, while GMO Global Asset Allocation Fund (GMWAX) has a volatility of 3.04%. This indicates that GQEFX 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

	GQEFX	GMWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.78%	3.04%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.48%	6.92%	+2.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	8.80%	+3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.87%	10.02%	+5.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.76%	10.35%	+7.41%

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQEFX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than GMWAX's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQEFX vs. GMWAX - Dividend Comparison

GQEFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.54%, more than GMWAX's 4.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
GQEFX GMO Quality Fund Class IV	10.54%	11.15%	3.70%	3.43%	11.84%	10.23%	13.62%	8.09%	21.69%	7.08%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQEFX and GMWAX in my portfolio?

GQEFX and GMWAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQEFX or GMWAX?

GMWAX has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to GQEFX (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQEFX dropped -30.42% vs GMWAX's -41.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.41 vs 1.89), 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.