CSHZX vs. VENAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

CSHZX (MainStay Cushing MLP Premier Fund) and VENAX (Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, CSHZX returned 10.09%/yr vs 9.63%/yr for VENAX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CSHZX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VENAX.

Performance

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MainStay Cushing MLP Premier Fund (CSHZX) and Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSHZX achieves a 23.89% return, which is significantly lower than VENAX's 32.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CSHZX having a 10.09% annualized return and VENAX not far behind at 9.63%.

CSHZX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 23.89%
• 6M: 21.41%
• 1Y: 27.01%
• 3Y*: 27.56%
• 5Y*: 21.38%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

VENAX

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: -2.18%
• YTD: 32.20%
• 6M: 28.76%
• 1Y: 48.27%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 20.35%
• 10Y*: 9.63%

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

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSHZX MainStay Cushing MLP Premier Fund	23.89%	3.69%	41.96%	15.20%	24.20%	38.80%	-28.06%	12.37%	-12.72%	-8.10%
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	32.20%	7.29%	6.57%	0.05%	62.94%	55.57%	-33.27%	9.36%	-19.90%	-2.39%

Correlation

The correlation between CSHZX and VENAX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2010	0.75

The correlation between CSHZX and VENAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CSHZX vs. VENAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CSHZX

CSHZX Risk / Return Rank: 46
CSHZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CSHZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CSHZX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
CSHZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
CSHZX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VENAX

VENAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VENAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VENAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VENAX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VENAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VENAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MainStay Cushing MLP Premier Fund (CSHZX) and Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX). 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.

	CSHZX	VENAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.25	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.88	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.36	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	3.88	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.32	11.41	-2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSHZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the VENAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSHZX and VENAX, 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

	CSHZX	VENAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	2.25	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.07	0.77	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.32	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.28	0.00

Drawdowns

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSHZX drawdown since its inception was -76.00%, roughly equal to the maximum VENAX drawdown of -74.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSHZX and VENAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSHZX	VENAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.00%	-74.42%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.89%	-11.79%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-21.44%	+3.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.90%	-26.59%	+6.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.12%	-69.58%	-0.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.79%	-6.47%	+1.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.72%	-19.98%	+1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	4.01%	-1.33%

Volatility

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MainStay Cushing MLP Premier Fund (CSHZX) is 6.09%, while Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) has a volatility of 7.93%. This indicates that CSHZX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VENAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSHZX	VENAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.09%	7.93%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	16.30%	-5.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.78%	20.40%	-5.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.11%	26.44%	-6.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.30%	30.24%	-3.94%

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CSHZX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VENAX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

CSHZX vs. VENAX - Dividend Comparison

CSHZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.63%, more than VENAX's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSHZX MainStay Cushing MLP Premier Fund	9.63%	11.65%	6.16%	8.16%	8.77%	11.69%	14.40%	8.96%	13.78%	10.72%	10.40%	9.96%
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.37%	3.10%	3.24%	3.34%	3.65%	3.80%	4.76%	3.41%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSHZX and VENAX in my portfolio?

CSHZX and VENAX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSHZX or VENAX?

VENAX has higher volatility (7.93%) compared to CSHZX (6.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSHZX dropped -76.00% vs VENAX's -74.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VENAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.70), 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.