GWOAX vs. VMVFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GWOAX (GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund) and VMVFX (Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GWOAX returned 12.17%/yr vs 9.51%/yr for VMVFX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GWOAX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for VMVFX.

Performance

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GWOAX achieves a 16.38% return, which is significantly higher than VMVFX's 8.43% return. Over the past 10 years, GWOAX has outperformed VMVFX with an annualized return of 12.17%, while VMVFX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.51% annualized return.

GWOAX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 16.38%
• 6M: 18.34%
• 1Y: 37.95%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

VMVFX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 8.43%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 13.14%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 9.51%

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

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GWOAX GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund	16.38%	28.37%	6.14%	22.49%	-14.10%	18.53%	10.53%	26.56%	-12.95%	25.63%
VMVFX Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares	8.43%	12.74%	13.38%	7.82%	-4.48%	23.74%	-3.99%	23.28%	-1.79%	15.93%

Correlation

The correlation between GWOAX and VMVFX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2013	0.81

The correlation between GWOAX and VMVFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GWOAX vs. VMVFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GWOAX

GWOAX Risk / Return Rank: 88
GWOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
GWOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
GWOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
GWOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GWOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VMVFX

VMVFX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VMVFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VMVFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VMVFX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VMVFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VMVFX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX). 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.

	GWOAX	VMVFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	1.92	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	2.74	+1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.34	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	2.08	+2.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.30	8.13	+9.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GWOAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the VMVFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GWOAX and VMVFX, 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

	GWOAX	VMVFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07	1.92	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	1.01	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.76	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.82	-0.35

Drawdowns

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GWOAX drawdown since its inception was -49.84%, which is greater than VMVFX's maximum drawdown of -33.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWOAX and VMVFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GWOAX	VMVFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.84%	-33.09%	-16.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-6.27%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.11%	-7.96%	-8.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.21%	-13.02%	-13.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.28%	-33.09%	-2.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.18%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.00%	-2.83%	-6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	1.60%	+0.59%

Volatility

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Volatility Comparison

GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) has a higher volatility of 3.36% compared to Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX) at 1.94%. This indicates that GWOAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMVFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GWOAX	VMVFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.36%	1.94%	+1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.48%	5.17%	+4.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.39%	6.81%	+5.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.22%	10.76%	+4.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.50%	12.48%	+4.02%

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GWOAX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VMVFX's 0.21% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GWOAX vs. VMVFX - Dividend Comparison

GWOAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than VMVFX's 9.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GWOAX GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund	3.83%	4.46%	0.60%	6.10%	7.27%	12.75%	3.85%	4.33%	3.02%	3.05%	6.43%	12.47%
VMVFX Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares	9.20%	9.98%	3.77%	3.05%	4.96%	12.73%	2.02%	5.12%	7.27%	2.30%	2.71%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GWOAX and VMVFX in my portfolio?

GWOAX and VMVFX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GWOAX or VMVFX?

GWOAX has higher volatility (3.36%) compared to VMVFX (1.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GWOAX dropped -49.84% vs VMVFX's -33.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWOAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 1.92), 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.