PALAX vs. GBFFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PALAX (Virtus Global Allocation Fund) and GBFFX (GMO Benchmark-Free Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, PALAX returned 7.56%/yr vs 7.17%/yr for GBFFX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PALAX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for GBFFX.

Performance

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) and GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PALAX achieves a 9.40% return, which is significantly lower than GBFFX's 12.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PALAX has outperformed GBFFX with an annualized return of 7.56%, while GBFFX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.17% annualized return.

PALAX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 6M: 10.71%
• 1Y: 22.97%
• 3Y*: 12.91%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 7.56%

GBFFX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 12.11%
• 6M: 14.18%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 15.78%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

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

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PALAX Virtus Global Allocation Fund	9.40%	17.73%	6.39%	11.78%	-15.69%	10.82%	13.99%	17.93%	-8.72%	16.92%
GBFFX GMO Benchmark-Free Fund	12.11%	24.07%	0.40%	15.24%	-3.36%	4.38%	-3.35%	13.79%	-7.12%	17.06%

Correlation

The correlation between PALAX and GBFFX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2015	0.75

The correlation between PALAX and GBFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PALAX vs. GBFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PALAX

PALAX Risk / Return Rank: 79
PALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

GBFFX

GBFFX Risk / Return Rank: 96
GBFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GBFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
GBFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GBFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GBFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) and GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX). 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.

	PALAX	GBFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	4.24	-1.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	6.10	-2.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.86	-0.34
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	5.22	-1.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.52	20.07	-5.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is lower than the GBFFX Sharpe Ratio of 4.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALAX and GBFFX, 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

	PALAX	GBFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	4.24	-1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	1.01	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.79	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.70	-0.18

Drawdowns

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALAX drawdown since its inception was -44.59%, which is greater than GBFFX's maximum drawdown of -26.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALAX and GBFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALAX	GBFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.59%	-26.62%	-17.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-5.67%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.92%	-10.18%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.75%	-15.91%	-11.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.75%	-26.62%	-1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.70%	-4.37%	-2.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	1.47%	+0.14%

Volatility

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) has a higher volatility of 2.67% compared to GMO Benchmark-Free Fund (GBFFX) at 2.35%. This indicates that PALAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PALAX	GBFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.67%	2.35%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.97%	5.39%	+1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.57%	6.99%	+1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.85%	8.07%	+3.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.35%	9.09%	+2.26%

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALAX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than GBFFX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PALAX vs. GBFFX - Dividend Comparison

PALAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.33%, more than GBFFX's 4.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBFFX GMO Benchmark-Free Fund	4.56%	5.11%	1.81%	5.72%	5.48%	4.60%	3.32%	4.00%	3.92%	2.90%	2.72%	6.67%
PALAX Virtus Global Allocation Fund	8.33%	6.94%	3.07%	2.60%	6.29%	9.15%	6.14%	10.09%	6.19%	10.69%	1.61%	5.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PALAX and GBFFX in my portfolio?

PALAX and GBFFX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PALAX or GBFFX?

PALAX has higher volatility (2.67%) compared to GBFFX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALAX dropped -44.59% vs GBFFX's -26.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.24 vs 2.73), 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.