BEARX vs. RYCLX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

BEARX (Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd) and RYCLX (Rydex Inverse Mid-Cap Strategy Fund) are both Inverse Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BEARX returned -14.40%/yr vs -11.01%/yr for RYCLX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BEARX charges 1.78%/yr vs 2.39%/yr for RYCLX.

Performance

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd (BEARX) and Rydex Inverse Mid-Cap Strategy Fund (RYCLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BEARX achieves a -7.65% return, which is significantly higher than RYCLX's -12.01% return. Over the past 10 years, BEARX has underperformed RYCLX with an annualized return of -14.40%, while RYCLX has yielded a comparatively higher -11.01% annualized return.

BEARX

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -0.57%
• 6M: -7.16%
• YTD: -7.65%
• 1Y: -13.51%
• 3Y*: -15.31%
• 5Y*: -11.50%
• 10Y*: -14.40%

RYCLX

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 1.13%
• 6M: -7.72%
• YTD: -12.01%
• 1Y: -12.21%
• 3Y*: -7.16%
• 5Y*: -5.52%
• 10Y*: -11.01%

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

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BEARX Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd	-7.65%	-12.42%	-20.34%	-18.67%	17.78%	-23.78%	-22.95%	-19.95%	-5.96%	-15.76%
RYCLX Rydex Inverse Mid-Cap Strategy Fund	-12.01%	-1.04%	-5.59%	-8.75%	8.93%	-24.21%	-25.53%	-21.03%	11.39%	-14.94%

Correlation

The correlation between BEARX and RYCLX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2005	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between BEARX and RYCLX has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BEARX vs. RYCLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BEARX

BEARX Risk / Return Rank: 0
BEARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Omega Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

RYCLX

RYCLX Risk / Return Rank: 1
RYCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
RYCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
RYCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
RYCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
RYCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd (BEARX) and Rydex Inverse Mid-Cap Strategy Fund (RYCLX). 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.

	BEARX	RYCLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.15	-0.75	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.65	-0.96	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	0.89	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.87	-0.64	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.75	-1.25	-0.51

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BEARX Sharpe Ratio is -1.15, which is lower than the RYCLX Sharpe Ratio of -0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BEARX and RYCLX, 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

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BEARX drawdown since its inception was -95.75%, roughly equal to the maximum RYCLX drawdown of -95.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEARX and RYCLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BEARX	RYCLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.75%	-95.66%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.55%	-18.50%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.46%	-32.43%	-12.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.48%	-34.96%	-17.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-79.22%	-71.12%	-8.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-95.66%	-95.55%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-61.15%	-70.29%	+9.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.36%	9.54%	-1.18%

Volatility

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd (BEARX) and Rydex Inverse Mid-Cap Strategy Fund (RYCLX) have volatilities of 4.70% and 4.89%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BEARX	RYCLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	4.89%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	11.78%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.46%	15.88%	-3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	20.56%	-3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.68%	21.41%	-4.73%

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BEARX has a 1.78% expense ratio, which is lower than RYCLX's 2.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

BEARX vs. RYCLX - Dividend Comparison

BEARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.27%, less than RYCLX's 37.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BEARX Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd	7.27%	6.71%	0.00%	13.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%
RYCLX Rydex Inverse Mid-Cap Strategy Fund	37.51%	33.01%	25.75%	9.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.76%	0.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BEARX and RYCLX in my portfolio?

BEARX and RYCLX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BEARX or RYCLX?

RYCLX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to BEARX (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEARX dropped -95.75% vs RYCLX's -95.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYCLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.75 vs -1.15), 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.