ALTEX vs. TOWTX
Compare and contrast key facts about Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) and Towpath Technology Fund (TOWTX).
ALTEX is managed by Firsthand Funds. It was launched on Oct 28, 2007. TOWTX is managed by Oelschlager Investments. It was launched on Feb 2, 2021.
Performance
ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Performance Comparison
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ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | 9.56% | 6.62% | -6.79% | -2.31% | -18.26% | -12.17% |
TOWTX Towpath Technology Fund | -9.57% | 9.55% | 12.82% | 29.78% | -15.96% | 17.73% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ALTEX achieves a 9.56% return, which is significantly higher than TOWTX's -9.57% return.
ALTEX
- 1D
- -4.06%
- 1M
- -10.18%
- YTD
- 9.56%
- 6M
- -9.08%
- 1Y
- 41.48%
- 3Y*
- -1.40%
- 5Y*
- -4.12%
- 10Y*
- 8.92%
TOWTX
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- -5.09%
- YTD
- -9.57%
- 6M
- -7.05%
- 1Y
- 3.98%
- 3Y*
- 10.31%
- 5Y*
- 6.11%
- 10Y*
- —
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ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ALTEX has a 1.98% expense ratio, which is higher than TOWTX's 1.10% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
ALTEX vs. TOWTX — Risk / Return Rank
ALTEX
TOWTX
ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) and Towpath Technology Fund (TOWTX). 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.
| ALTEX | TOWTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.10 | 0.23 | +0.87 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.49 | 0.45 | +1.04 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.06 | +0.17 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.31 | 0.16 | +1.15 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.48 | 0.51 | +2.97 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ALTEX | TOWTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.10 | 0.23 | +0.87 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.06 | 0.00 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.18 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.03 | 0.00 | +0.03 |
Correlation
The correlation between ALTEX and TOWTX is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Dividend Comparison
ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TOWTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
TOWTX Towpath Technology Fund | 1.88% | 1.70% | 3.55% | 0.42% | 0.57% | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ALTEX drawdown since its inception was -75.48%, smaller than the maximum TOWTX drawdown of -98.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTEX and TOWTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ALTEX | TOWTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -75.48% | -98.79% | +23.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -28.91% | -11.62% | -17.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -75.48% | -98.79% | +23.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -75.48% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.66% | -98.60% | +70.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.55% | -26.18% | -11.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.86% | 3.60% | +7.26% |
Volatility
ALTEX vs. TOWTX - Volatility Comparison
Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a higher volatility of 11.76% compared to Towpath Technology Fund (TOWTX) at 4.10%. This indicates that ALTEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TOWTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ALTEX | TOWTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.76% | 4.10% | +7.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 32.97% | 11.08% | +21.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 38.72% | 18.27% | +20.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 67.75% | 3,101.36% | -3,033.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 51.07% | 3,035.66% | -2,984.59% |