NQGIX vs. GWOAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NQGIX (Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund) and GWOAX (GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NQGIX returned 10.65%/yr vs 12.61%/yr for GWOAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NQGIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for GWOAX.

Performance

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NQGIX achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly lower than GWOAX's 15.54% return. Over the past 10 years, NQGIX has underperformed GWOAX with an annualized return of 10.65%, while GWOAX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.61% annualized return.

NQGIX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 8.84%
• 1Y: 24.11%
• 3Y*: 19.11%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: 10.65%

GWOAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 15.54%
• 6M: 14.81%
• 1Y: 36.10%
• 3Y*: 20.38%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 12.61%

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

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NQGIX Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund	9.08%	27.36%	12.36%	14.50%	-9.28%	22.55%	1.26%	24.40%	-14.41%	18.73%
GWOAX GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund	15.54%	28.37%	6.14%	22.49%	-14.10%	18.53%	10.53%	26.56%	-12.95%	25.63%

Correlation

The correlation between NQGIX and GWOAX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2014	0.93

The correlation between NQGIX and GWOAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NQGIX vs. GWOAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NQGIX

NQGIX Risk / Return Rank: 75
NQGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
NQGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
NQGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
NQGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
NQGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

GWOAX

GWOAX Risk / Return Rank: 89
GWOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
GWOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
GWOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
GWOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
GWOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund (NQGIX) and GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX). 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.

	NQGIX	GWOAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.90	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	3.97	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.52	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	4.24	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.49	16.80	-3.31

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NQGIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the GWOAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NQGIX and GWOAX, 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

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NQGIX drawdown since its inception was -38.52%, smaller than the maximum GWOAX drawdown of -49.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NQGIX and GWOAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NQGIX	GWOAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.52%	-49.84%	+11.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.26%	-8.78%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.75%	-16.11%	+3.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.76%	-26.21%	+3.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.52%	-35.28%	-3.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-0.83%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.43%	-8.98%	+3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	2.21%	-0.33%

Volatility

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund (NQGIX) is 3.40%, while GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund (GWOAX) has a volatility of 4.28%. This indicates that NQGIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GWOAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NQGIX	GWOAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	4.28%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.58%	10.05%	-1.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.87%	12.85%	-1.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.39%	15.27%	-1.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.80%	16.51%	-0.71%

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NQGIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GWOAX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

NQGIX vs. GWOAX - Dividend Comparison

NQGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, less than GWOAX's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GWOAX GMO Global Developed Equity Allocation Fund	3.86%	4.46%	0.60%	6.10%	7.27%	12.75%	3.85%	4.33%	3.02%	3.05%	6.43%	12.47%
NQGIX Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund	2.22%	2.28%	2.52%	2.54%	5.17%	3.33%	2.71%	2.95%	5.85%	4.03%	2.41%	3.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NQGIX and GWOAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, NQGIX and GWOAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NQGIX or GWOAX?

GWOAX has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to NQGIX (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NQGIX dropped -38.52% vs GWOAX's -49.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWOAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 2.35), 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.