BACAX vs. PRPFX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

BACAX (BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund) and PRPFX (Permanent Portfolio Class I) are both mutual funds - BACAX is a Energy Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while PRPFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Permanent Portfolio. Over the past 10 years, BACAX returned 7.98%/yr vs 10.40%/yr for PRPFX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BACAX charges 1.32%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for PRPFX.

Performance

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund (BACAX) and Permanent Portfolio Class I (PRPFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BACAX achieves a 21.95% return, which is significantly higher than PRPFX's 1.99% return. Over the past 10 years, BACAX has underperformed PRPFX with an annualized return of 7.98%, while PRPFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.40% annualized return.

BACAX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: -7.46%
• YTD: 21.95%
• 6M: 23.01%
• 1Y: 30.07%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: 17.04%
• 10Y*: 7.98%

PRPFX

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: -3.80%
• YTD: 1.99%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 19.72%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: 10.40%

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

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BACAX BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund	21.95%	10.53%	3.78%	2.61%	43.02%	42.93%	-29.68%	12.64%	-19.98%	2.07%
PRPFX Permanent Portfolio Class I	1.99%	28.78%	19.36%	11.96%	-5.48%	10.87%	18.80%	19.20%	-7.02%	11.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BACAX and PRPFX is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2005	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between BACAX and PRPFX has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BACAX vs. PRPFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BACAX

BACAX Risk / Return Rank: 38
BACAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
BACAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BACAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
BACAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
BACAX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

PRPFX

PRPFX Risk / Return Rank: 26
PRPFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
PRPFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
PRPFX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
PRPFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
PRPFX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund (BACAX) and Permanent Portfolio Class I (PRPFX). 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.

	BACAX	PRPFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.31	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	1.66	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.26	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	1.94	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.97	5.09	+2.88

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BACAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the PRPFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BACAX and PRPFX, 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

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BACAX drawdown since its inception was -78.88%, which is greater than PRPFX's maximum drawdown of -27.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BACAX and PRPFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BACAX	PRPFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.88%	-27.16%	-51.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.36%	-8.76%	-3.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-8.76%	-9.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.74%	-15.49%	-10.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.92%	-20.84%	-45.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.95%	-8.76%	-2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.20%	-3.52%	-30.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	3.33%	+0.28%

Volatility

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund (BACAX) has a higher volatility of 6.16% compared to Permanent Portfolio Class I (PRPFX) at 3.71%. This indicates that BACAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PRPFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BACAX	PRPFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.16%	3.71%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.52%	11.67%	+2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.58%	12.93%	+4.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.51%	11.11%	+12.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.17%	10.67%	+16.50%

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BACAX has a 1.32% expense ratio, which is higher than PRPFX's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

BACAX vs. PRPFX - Dividend Comparison

BACAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, less than PRPFX's 3.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BACAX BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund	2.03%	2.47%	2.29%	3.06%	2.21%	2.39%	3.38%	2.69%	2.87%	2.48%	1.95%	1.98%
PRPFX Permanent Portfolio Class I	3.20%	3.27%	1.86%	1.39%	1.58%	2.05%	5.38%	4.69%	6.90%	2.14%	0.95%	7.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BACAX and PRPFX in my portfolio?

BACAX and PRPFX have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BACAX or PRPFX?

BACAX has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to PRPFX (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BACAX dropped -78.88% vs PRPFX's -27.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BACAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.31), 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.