AMRGX vs. HTGC

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

AMRGX (American Growth Fund Series One) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Growth, while HTGC (Hercules Capital, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, AMRGX returned 11.97%/yr vs 13.46%/yr for HTGC. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) and Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMRGX achieves a 17.64% return, which is significantly higher than HTGC's -10.43% return. Over the past 10 years, AMRGX has underperformed HTGC with an annualized return of 11.97%, while HTGC has yielded a comparatively higher 13.46% annualized return.

AMRGX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.50%
• 6M: 14.14%
• YTD: 17.64%
• 1Y: 35.43%
• 3Y*: 18.86%
• 5Y*: 9.95%
• 10Y*: 11.97%

HTGC

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 2.71%
• 6M: -9.71%
• YTD: -10.43%
• 1Y: -6.34%
• 3Y*: 10.93%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 13.46%

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

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMRGX American Growth Fund Series One	17.64%	11.18%	16.61%	24.38%	-19.93%	15.64%	18.65%	36.73%	-9.07%	13.37%
HTGC Hercules Capital, Inc.	-10.43%	3.54%	33.33%	42.91%	-10.42%	26.50%	14.49%	39.86%	-6.86%	1.86%

Correlation

The correlation between AMRGX and HTGC is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2005	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between AMRGX and HTGC has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.43, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AMRGX vs. HTGC — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMRGX

AMRGX Risk / Return Rank: 45
AMRGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AMRGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
AMRGX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
AMRGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
AMRGX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

HTGC

HTGC Risk / Return Rank: 33
HTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
HTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
HTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 29
HTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
HTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) and Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC). 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.

	AMRGX	HTGC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	-0.27	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	-0.22	+2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	0.97	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	-0.26	+2.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.09	-0.55	+6.64

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMRGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is higher than the HTGC Sharpe Ratio of -0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMRGX and HTGC, 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

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMRGX drawdown since its inception was -80.32%, which is greater than HTGC's maximum drawdown of -68.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMRGX and HTGC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMRGX	HTGC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.32%	-68.21%	-12.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.98%	-24.74%	+10.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.15%	-27.97%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.42%	-36.11%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.42%	-57.54%	+22.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.83%	-15.31%	+10.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.11%	-10.89%	-29.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.76%	11.55%	-5.79%

Volatility

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Volatility Comparison

American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) has a higher volatility of 9.12% compared to Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) at 4.97%. This indicates that AMRGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HTGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMRGX	HTGC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.12%	4.97%	+4.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.16%	20.23%	-3.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.48%	23.56%	+4.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.59%	25.82%	-3.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.61%	27.88%	-6.27%

Dividends

AMRGX vs. HTGC - Dividend Comparison

AMRGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.15%, more than HTGC's 11.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMRGX American Growth Fund Series One	15.15%	17.82%	12.39%	8.17%	7.77%	12.21%	2.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HTGC Hercules Capital, Inc.	11.37%	9.99%	9.56%	11.40%	13.77%	9.76%	9.02%	9.49%	11.40%	9.45%	8.79%	10.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMRGX and HTGC in my portfolio?

AMRGX and HTGC have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMRGX or HTGC?

AMRGX has higher volatility (9.12%) compared to HTGC (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMRGX dropped -80.32% vs HTGC's -68.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMRGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs -0.27), 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.