NGUAX vs. GQEPX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

NGUAX (Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund) and GQEPX (GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - NGUAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Neuberger Berman, while GQEPX is a Quality Factor fund managed by GQG Partners. Over the past 5 years, NGUAX returned 9.55%/yr vs 9.07%/yr for GQEPX. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NGUAX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for GQEPX.

Performance

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund (NGUAX) and GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares (GQEPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NGUAX achieves a 2.19% return, which is significantly lower than GQEPX's 5.74% return.

NGUAX

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -2.32%
• 6M: 3.34%
• YTD: 2.19%
• 1Y: 7.77%
• 3Y*: 15.67%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: 15.22%
• ALL TIME*: 8.18%

GQEPX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.33%
• 6M: 1.93%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 1Y: 6.22%
• 3Y*: 11.35%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.93%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GQEPX GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
NGUAX Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NGUAX Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund	2.19%	14.38%	23.80%	35.98%	-24.47%	27.43%	34.56%	36.69%	-17.07%
GQEPX GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares	5.74%	-4.52%	28.99%	17.39%	-2.81%	19.90%	23.65%	27.21%	-7.67%

Correlation

The correlation between NGUAX and GQEPX is -0.25, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.25
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2018	0.69

The correlation between NGUAX and GQEPX shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.69 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NGUAX vs. GQEPX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NGUAX

NGUAX Risk / Return Rank: 12
NGUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
NGUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
NGUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
NGUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
NGUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

GQEPX

GQEPX Risk / Return Rank: 15
GQEPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
GQEPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
GQEPX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
GQEPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
GQEPX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund (NGUAX) and GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares (GQEPX). 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.

	NGUAX	GQEPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	0.57	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	0.90	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.10	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.46	0.71	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.50	1.61	-0.11

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NGUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is comparable to the GQEPX Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NGUAX and GQEPX, 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

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NGUAX drawdown since its inception was -78.07%, which is greater than GQEPX's maximum drawdown of -28.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NGUAX and GQEPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NGUAX	GQEPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.07%	-28.45%	-49.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.16%	-8.48%	-5.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.89%	-18.97%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.43%	-20.49%	-7.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.92%	-9.74%	+4.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.77%	-5.90%	-25.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.31%	3.74%	+0.57%

Volatility

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Volatility Comparison

Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund (NGUAX) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares (GQEPX) at 2.69%. This indicates that NGUAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQEPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NGUAX	GQEPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	2.69%	+1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.65%	8.34%	+3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.62%	10.57%	+4.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.43%	15.89%	+2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.31%	18.62%	-0.31%

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NGUAX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than GQEPX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

NGUAX vs. GQEPX - Dividend Comparison

NGUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.16%, more than GQEPX's 6.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GQEPX GQG Partners US Select Quality Equity Fund Investor Shares	6.60%	6.98%	5.30%	0.44%	4.46%	1.49%	0.61%	0.63%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NGUAX Neuberger Berman Guardian Fund	12.16%	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 NGUAX and GQEPX in my portfolio?

NGUAX and GQEPX have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NGUAX or GQEPX?

NGUAX has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to GQEPX (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NGUAX dropped -78.07% vs GQEPX's -28.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQEPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs 0.45), 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.