ALTEX vs. STK

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

ALTEX (Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund) and STK (Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Closed Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ALTEX returned 12.68%/yr vs 23.45%/yr for STK. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ALTEX charges 1.98%/yr vs 1.26%/yr for STK.

Performance

ALTEX vs. STK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Closed Fund (STK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ALTEX having a 45.71% return and STK slightly lower at 44.51%. Over the past 10 years, ALTEX has underperformed STK with an annualized return of 12.68%, while STK has yielded a comparatively higher 23.45% annualized return.

ALTEX

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: -4.76%
• 6M: 32.65%
• YTD: 45.71%
• 1Y: 48.49%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

STK

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.17%
• 6M: 35.73%
• YTD: 44.51%
• 1Y: 80.91%
• 3Y*: 32.71%
• 5Y*: 20.21%
• 10Y*: 23.45%

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

ALTEX vs. STK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	45.71%	6.62%	-6.79%	-2.31%	-18.26%	-5.09%	83.88%	55.04%	-18.56%	27.35%
STK Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Closed Fund	44.51%	24.85%	17.74%	46.60%	-30.36%	48.63%	25.39%	52.73%	-14.91%	33.52%

Correlation

The correlation between ALTEX and STK is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 27, 2009	0.57

The correlation between ALTEX and STK shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.69 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ALTEX vs. STK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALTEX

ALTEX Risk / Return Rank: 29
ALTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ALTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
ALTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ALTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
ALTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

STK

STK Risk / Return Rank: 92
STK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
STK Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
STK Omega Ratio Rank: 87
STK Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
STK Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

ALTEX vs. STK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Closed Fund (STK). 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.

	ALTEX	STK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	2.94	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	3.40	-1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.48	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	5.04	-3.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.47	18.73	-14.26

ALTEX vs. STK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALTEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the STK Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALTEX and STK, 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

ALTEX vs. STK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALTEX drawdown since its inception was -75.48%, which is greater than STK's maximum drawdown of -41.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTEX and STK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALTEX	STK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.48%	-41.74%	-33.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.91%	-16.05%	-12.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-68.78%	-26.59%	-42.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-75.48%	-36.27%	-39.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.48%	-41.74%	-33.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.85%	-9.74%	-3.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-7.42%	-29.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.08%	4.31%	+6.77%

Volatility

ALTEX vs. STK - Volatility Comparison

Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a higher volatility of 15.56% compared to Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Closed Fund (STK) at 11.43%. This indicates that ALTEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than STK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALTEX	STK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.56%	11.43%	+4.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.00%	23.88%	+6.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.63%	27.50%	+15.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	68.55%	25.95%	+42.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.55%	26.52%	+25.03%

ALTEX vs. STK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALTEX has a 1.98% expense ratio, which is higher than STK's 1.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALTEX vs. STK - Dividend Comparison

ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while STK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.50%	3.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.12%	0.05%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%
STK Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Closed Fund	5.22%	7.38%	16.02%	6.70%	12.62%	8.48%	6.79%	7.86%	14.88%	11.82%	9.87%	10.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALTEX and STK in my portfolio?

ALTEX and STK have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALTEX or STK?

ALTEX has higher volatility (15.56%) compared to STK (11.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALTEX dropped -75.48% vs STK's -41.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.18), 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.