BRUFX vs. TPDAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BRUFX (Bruce Fund) and TPDAX (Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, BRUFX returned 7.47%/yr vs 7.18%/yr for TPDAX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BRUFX charges 0.68%/yr vs 1.37%/yr for TPDAX.

Performance

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bruce Fund (BRUFX) and Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRUFX achieves a 10.15% return, which is significantly lower than TPDAX's 10.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BRUFX having a 7.47% annualized return and TPDAX not far behind at 7.18%.

BRUFX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 10.15%
• 6M: 9.88%
• 1Y: 23.01%
• 3Y*: 10.97%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 7.47%

TPDAX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 10.96%
• 6M: 11.99%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 7.18%

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

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRUFX Bruce Fund	10.15%	14.89%	4.45%	-0.74%	-8.80%	17.35%	12.06%	22.42%	-3.99%	12.48%
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	10.96%	23.97%	5.29%	7.71%	-5.63%	12.15%	8.83%	13.77%	-7.24%	4.14%

Correlation

The correlation between BRUFX and TPDAX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2009	0.61

The correlation between BRUFX and TPDAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BRUFX vs. TPDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRUFX

BRUFX Risk / Return Rank: 61
BRUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BRUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
BRUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
BRUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
BRUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

TPDAX

TPDAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
TPDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TPDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TPDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
TPDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TPDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bruce Fund (BRUFX) and Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX). 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.

	BRUFX	TPDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.28	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	2.92	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.34	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.69	11.51	+2.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRUFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the TPDAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRUFX and TPDAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BRUFX	TPDAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.28	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.85	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.73	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.60	+0.07

Drawdowns

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRUFX drawdown since its inception was -44.50%, which is greater than TPDAX's maximum drawdown of -22.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRUFX and TPDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRUFX	TPDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.50%	-22.29%	-22.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.67%	-7.58%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.66%	-7.58%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.91%	-17.58%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.44%	-22.29%	-3.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-3.53%	+2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.07%	-4.92%	-4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	2.20%	-0.48%

Volatility

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Volatility Comparison

Bruce Fund (BRUFX) has a higher volatility of 3.40% compared to Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) at 2.91%. This indicates that BRUFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TPDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRUFX	TPDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	2.91%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.13%	9.47%	-1.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.44%	11.17%	-0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.50%	10.18%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.59%	9.90%	+1.69%

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRUFX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than TPDAX's 1.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRUFX vs. TPDAX - Dividend Comparison

BRUFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.77%, more than TPDAX's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRUFX Bruce Fund	5.77%	6.35%	5.01%	6.46%	13.31%	9.25%	5.83%	2.03%	2.49%	4.11%	6.26%	4.63%
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	0.72%	0.80%	2.76%	2.35%	4.48%	0.50%	0.00%	2.89%	2.69%	0.13%	0.33%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRUFX and TPDAX in my portfolio?

BRUFX and TPDAX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRUFX or TPDAX?

BRUFX has higher volatility (3.40%) compared to TPDAX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRUFX dropped -44.50% vs TPDAX's -22.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TPDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.26), 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.