KTRAX vs. BPLEX

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

KTRAX (DWS Global Income Builder Fund) and BPLEX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - KTRAX is a Global Allocation fund managed by DWS, while BPLEX is a Long-Short fund managed by Boston Partners. Over the past 10 years, KTRAX returned 7.51%/yr vs 14.14%/yr for BPLEX. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KTRAX charges 0.89%/yr vs 2.21%/yr for BPLEX.

Performance

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Global Income Builder Fund (KTRAX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KTRAX achieves a 7.66% return, which is significantly lower than BPLEX's 19.07% return. Over the past 10 years, KTRAX has underperformed BPLEX with an annualized return of 7.51%, while BPLEX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.14% annualized return.

KTRAX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.29%
• 6M: 6.06%
• YTD: 7.66%
• 1Y: 16.66%
• 3Y*: 12.23%
• 5Y*: 5.89%
• 10Y*: 7.51%

BPLEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 4.50%
• 6M: 18.84%
• YTD: 19.07%
• 1Y: 34.87%
• 3Y*: 37.95%
• 5Y*: 26.56%
• 10Y*: 14.14%

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

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KTRAX DWS Global Income Builder Fund	7.66%	14.66%	8.95%	14.73%	-15.38%	10.58%	8.06%	19.87%	-8.04%	16.33%
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	19.07%	27.87%	56.97%	14.93%	6.95%	31.73%	-5.82%	8.97%	-15.70%	2.54%

Correlation

The correlation between KTRAX and BPLEX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 1998	0.43

Over the past year, KTRAX and BPLEX have become more correlated (0.63) than their long-term average of 0.43, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

KTRAX vs. BPLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KTRAX

KTRAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
KTRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
KTRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
KTRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
KTRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
KTRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

BPLEX

BPLEX Risk / Return Rank: 97
BPLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
BPLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
BPLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BPLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BPLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Global Income Builder Fund (KTRAX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX). 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.

	KTRAX	BPLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	3.28	-1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	5.00	-2.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.60	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	6.62	-4.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	24.04	-15.28

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KTRAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is lower than the BPLEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KTRAX and BPLEX, 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

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KTRAX drawdown since its inception was -39.90%, smaller than the maximum BPLEX drawdown of -43.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KTRAX and BPLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KTRAX	BPLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.90%	-43.47%	+3.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.06%	-5.23%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.73%	-28.78%	+17.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.90%	-28.78%	+6.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.70%	-37.65%	+12.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	0.00%	-1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.49%	-6.59%	-0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.44%	+0.49%

Volatility

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DWS Global Income Builder Fund (KTRAX) is 2.76%, while Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX) has a volatility of 2.92%. This indicates that KTRAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BPLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KTRAX	BPLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.76%	2.92%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	8.52%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.19%	10.59%	-1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.95%	37.86%	-27.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.15%	29.25%	-19.10%

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KTRAX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than BPLEX's 2.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

KTRAX vs. BPLEX - Dividend Comparison

KTRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.21%, less than BPLEX's 9.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	9.19%	10.94%	58.72%	28.35%	15.19%	5.11%	44.84%	11.33%	9.69%	0.83%	0.00%	9.91%
KTRAX DWS Global Income Builder Fund	8.21%	8.76%	16.91%	2.82%	2.69%	10.12%	2.43%	3.22%	5.15%	10.02%	2.75%	4.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KTRAX and BPLEX in my portfolio?

KTRAX and BPLEX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KTRAX or BPLEX?

BPLEX has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to KTRAX (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KTRAX dropped -39.90% vs BPLEX's -43.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BPLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 1.85), 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.