PESPX vs. GWSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PESPX (BNY Mellon MidCap Index Fund) and GWSAX (Gabelli Focused Growth and Income Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PESPX returned 10.94%/yr vs 5.92%/yr for GWSAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PESPX charges 0.50%/yr vs 1.25%/yr for GWSAX.

Performance

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon MidCap Index Fund (PESPX) and Gabelli Focused Growth and Income Fund (GWSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PESPX achieves a 13.87% return, which is significantly higher than GWSAX's 8.60% return. Over the past 10 years, PESPX has outperformed GWSAX with an annualized return of 10.94%, while GWSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.92% annualized return.

PESPX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 13.87%
• 6M: 14.02%
• 1Y: 24.86%
• 3Y*: 14.68%
• 5Y*: 7.36%
• 10Y*: 10.94%

GWSAX

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 8.60%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 16.35%
• 3Y*: 11.18%
• 5Y*: 5.34%
• 10Y*: 5.92%

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

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PESPX BNY Mellon MidCap Index Fund	13.87%	6.90%	11.88%	14.75%	-13.67%	24.34%	13.30%	40.74%	-10.55%	15.99%
GWSAX Gabelli Focused Growth and Income Fund	8.60%	2.11%	13.19%	11.90%	-13.71%	27.12%	8.69%	26.78%	-25.30%	17.07%

Correlation

The correlation between PESPX and GWSAX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2006	0.87

Over the past year, the correlation between PESPX and GWSAX has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.87, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PESPX vs. GWSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PESPX

PESPX Risk / Return Rank: 43
PESPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
PESPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PESPX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
PESPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
PESPX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

GWSAX

GWSAX Risk / Return Rank: 38
GWSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
GWSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GWSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GWSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
GWSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon MidCap Index Fund (PESPX) and Gabelli Focused Growth and Income Fund (GWSAX). 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.

	PESPX	GWSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.80	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	2.63	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.31	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.65	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.88	7.00	+3.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PESPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the GWSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PESPX and GWSAX, 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

	PESPX	GWSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	1.80	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.35	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.30	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.35	-0.05

Drawdowns

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PESPX drawdown since its inception was -61.56%, which is greater than GWSAX's maximum drawdown of -55.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PESPX and GWSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PESPX	GWSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.56%	-55.75%	-5.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-6.54%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.18%	-15.58%	-9.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.18%	-18.91%	-6.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.09%	-50.67%	+8.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.42%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.38%	-9.26%	-1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	2.47%	-0.03%

Volatility

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon MidCap Index Fund (PESPX) has a higher volatility of 4.46% compared to Gabelli Focused Growth and Income Fund (GWSAX) at 2.16%. This indicates that PESPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GWSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PESPX	GWSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.46%	2.16%	+2.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.31%	6.38%	+4.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.46%	9.65%	+5.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	15.38%	+4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.59%	19.96%	+1.63%

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PESPX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GWSAX's 1.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

PESPX vs. GWSAX - Dividend Comparison

PESPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.75%, more than GWSAX's 4.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GWSAX Gabelli Focused Growth and Income Fund	4.84%	5.11%	4.39%	4.57%	5.00%	3.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.49%	1.16%	0.00%
PESPX BNY Mellon MidCap Index Fund	10.75%	12.24%	11.73%	8.19%	16.04%	15.10%	11.21%	21.60%	14.61%	9.22%	1.09%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PESPX and GWSAX in my portfolio?

PESPX and GWSAX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PESPX or GWSAX?

PESPX has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to GWSAX (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PESPX dropped -61.56% vs GWSAX's -55.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.72), 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.