LGI vs. GDO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LGI (Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund) and GDO (Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc) are both mutual funds - LGI is a Global Allocation fund managed by Lazard, while GDO is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, LGI returned 13.40%/yr vs 4.29%/yr for GDO. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LGI charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for GDO.

Performance

LGI vs. GDO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund (LGI) and Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc (GDO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LGI achieves a 8.63% return, which is significantly higher than GDO's -3.49% return. Over the past 10 years, LGI has outperformed GDO with an annualized return of 13.40%, while GDO has yielded a comparatively lower 4.29% annualized return.

LGI

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 5.27%
• YTD: 8.63%
• 6M: 9.22%
• 1Y: 23.21%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 13.40%

GDO

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -0.51%
• YTD: -3.49%
• 6M: -1.59%
• 1Y: 7.11%
• 3Y*: 8.07%
• 5Y*: 0.02%
• 10Y*: 4.29%

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

LGI vs. GDO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LGI Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund	8.63%	21.36%	14.00%	12.89%	-20.57%	25.28%	17.04%	30.25%	-10.51%	39.37%
GDO Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc	-3.49%	18.25%	-0.79%	10.39%	-20.30%	3.38%	6.82%	30.72%	-10.12%	13.48%

Correlation

The correlation between LGI and GDO is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2009	0.28

Return for Risk

LGI vs. GDO — Risk / Return Rank

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

LGI

LGI Risk / Return Rank: 20
LGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
LGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
LGI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
LGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
LGI Martin Ratio Rank: 14

GDO

GDO Risk / Return Rank: 10
GDO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
GDO Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
GDO Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GDO Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
GDO Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

LGI vs. GDO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund (LGI) and Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc (GDO). 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.

	LGI	GDO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	0.87	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	1.30	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.16	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	0.86	+0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.03	2.61	+1.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LGI vs. GDO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is higher than the GDO Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LGI and GDO, 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

	LGI	GDO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	0.87	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.00	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.32	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.40	0.00

Drawdowns

LGI vs. GDO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LGI drawdown since its inception was -63.34%, which is greater than GDO's maximum drawdown of -34.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LGI and GDO.

Drawdown Indicators

	LGI	GDO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.34%	-34.61%	-28.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.25%	-8.28%	-12.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.95%	-13.18%	-8.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.84%	-34.61%	+1.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.94%	-34.61%	-8.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.13%	-4.08%	-2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.95%	-6.67%	-4.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	2.73%	+3.04%

Volatility

LGI vs. GDO - Volatility Comparison

Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund (LGI) has a higher volatility of 3.81% compared to Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc (GDO) at 2.54%. This indicates that LGI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LGI	GDO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	2.54%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.22%	6.37%	+7.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.16%	8.19%	+7.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.29%	12.30%	+6.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.11%	13.29%	+6.82%

LGI vs. GDO - Expense Ratio Comparison

LGI has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is higher than GDO's 0.02% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LGI vs. GDO - Dividend Comparison

LGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.88%, less than GDO's 13.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDO Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc	13.57%	12.40%	12.04%	9.52%	9.49%	6.93%	6.70%	6.65%	8.41%	7.57%	7.96%	8.62%
LGI Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund	9.88%	10.08%	9.19%	7.32%	10.22%	9.77%	7.17%	6.44%	19.88%	5.46%	6.94%	8.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LGI and GDO in my portfolio?

LGI and GDO have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LGI or GDO?

LGI has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to GDO (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LGI dropped -63.34% vs GDO's -34.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LGI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.87), 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.