NBHIX vs. NGUAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NBHIX (Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund) and NGUAX (Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund) are both mutual funds - NBHIX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Neuberger Berman, while NGUAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Neuberger Berman. Over the past 10 years, NBHIX returned 9.54%/yr vs 16.10%/yr for NGUAX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NBHIX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.82%/yr for NGUAX.

Performance

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund (NBHIX) and Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund (NGUAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NBHIX achieves a 6.47% return, which is significantly higher than NGUAX's 5.42% return. Over the past 10 years, NBHIX has underperformed NGUAX with an annualized return of 9.54%, while NGUAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.10% annualized return.

NBHIX

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -0.91%
• YTD: 6.47%
• 6M: 5.72%
• 1Y: 14.41%
• 3Y*: 13.75%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: 9.54%

NGUAX

• 1D: 1.43%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 6M: 5.42%
• 1Y: 18.43%
• 3Y*: 18.58%
• 5Y*: 11.97%
• 10Y*: 16.10%

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

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NBHIX Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund	6.47%	17.69%	13.38%	3.87%	-4.24%	21.67%	3.00%	21.52%	-5.57%	13.26%
NGUAX Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund	5.42%	14.38%	23.80%	35.98%	-24.47%	27.43%	34.56%	36.69%	-7.16%	25.28%

Correlation

The correlation between NBHIX and NGUAX is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2006	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between NBHIX and NGUAX has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NBHIX vs. NGUAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBHIX

NBHIX Risk / Return Rank: 24
NBHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NBHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
NBHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
NBHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
NBHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

NGUAX

NGUAX Risk / Return Rank: 20
NGUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NGUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
NGUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NGUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
NGUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund (NBHIX) and Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund (NGUAX). 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.

	NBHIX	NGUAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	1.28	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	1.81	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	1.27	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.27	4.32	+0.95

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBHIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the NGUAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBHIX and NGUAX, 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

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBHIX drawdown since its inception was -40.07%, smaller than the maximum NGUAX drawdown of -78.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBHIX and NGUAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBHIX	NGUAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.07%	-78.07%	+38.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.72%	-14.16%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.22%	-20.89%	+9.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.90%	-28.43%	+10.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-31.99%	-1.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.17%	-1.91%	-2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-31.84%	+26.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	4.15%	-1.41%

Volatility

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund (NBHIX) is 3.42%, while Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund (NGUAX) has a volatility of 5.22%. This indicates that NBHIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NGUAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBHIX	NGUAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	5.22%	-1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.85%	11.07%	-2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.77%	14.03%	-3.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.65%	18.36%	-4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.77%	18.31%	-3.54%

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBHIX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than NGUAX's 0.82% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBHIX vs. NGUAX - Dividend Comparison

NBHIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than NGUAX's 11.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NBHIX Neuberger Berman Equity Income Fund	1.01%	1.54%	7.09%	6.16%	7.83%	10.73%	2.18%	5.75%	7.71%	6.77%	5.92%	6.72%
NGUAX Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund	11.79%	12.43%	6.01%	4.30%	6.62%	10.92%	7.60%	6.21%	11.21%	6.87%	13.11%	12.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBHIX and NGUAX in my portfolio?

NBHIX and NGUAX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBHIX or NGUAX?

NGUAX has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to NBHIX (3.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBHIX dropped -40.07% vs NGUAX's -78.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NBHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.28), 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.