FKRCX vs. EKWAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

FKRCX (Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund) and EKWAX (Allspring Precious Metals Fund) are both mutual funds - FKRCX is a Gold fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while EKWAX is a Precious Metals fund managed by Allspring Global Investments. Over the past 10 years, FKRCX returned 12.98%/yr vs 12.48%/yr for EKWAX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FKRCX charges 0.88%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for EKWAX.

Performance

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund (FKRCX) and Allspring Precious Metals Fund (EKWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FKRCX achieves a -11.18% return, which is significantly higher than EKWAX's -12.70% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FKRCX having a 12.98% annualized return and EKWAX not far behind at 12.48%.

FKRCX

• 1D: -4.63%
• 1M: -17.01%
• YTD: -11.18%
• 6M: -14.25%
• 1Y: 61.63%
• 3Y*: 47.42%
• 5Y*: 19.32%
• 10Y*: 12.98%

EKWAX

• 1D: -4.20%
• 1M: -15.66%
• YTD: -12.70%
• 6M: -16.13%
• 1Y: 44.86%
• 3Y*: 42.37%
• 5Y*: 22.25%
• 10Y*: 12.48%

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

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FKRCX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund	-11.18%	196.59%	17.64%	2.03%	-23.47%	-4.03%	44.30%	51.48%	-18.11%	-0.12%
EKWAX Allspring Precious Metals Fund	-12.70%	163.65%	21.28%	8.83%	-7.75%	-11.00%	24.40%	40.35%	-12.83%	9.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FKRCX and EKWAX is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 1998	0.95

The correlation between FKRCX and EKWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FKRCX vs. EKWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FKRCX

FKRCX Risk / Return Rank: 28
FKRCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FKRCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FKRCX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FKRCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
FKRCX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

EKWAX

EKWAX Risk / Return Rank: 18
EKWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
EKWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
EKWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
EKWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
EKWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund (FKRCX) and Allspring Precious Metals Fund (EKWAX). 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.

	FKRCX	EKWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.00	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	1.43	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.20	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	1.28	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.68	3.44	+1.24

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FKRCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is higher than the EKWAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FKRCX and EKWAX, 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

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FKRCX drawdown since its inception was -78.85%, roughly equal to the maximum EKWAX drawdown of -76.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FKRCX and EKWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FKRCX	EKWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.85%	-76.76%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.78%	-35.67%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.78%	-35.67%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.79%	-42.79%	-6.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.54%	-49.23%	-0.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.99%	-35.08%	+1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.73%	-32.76%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.93%	13.25%	-0.32%

Volatility

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund (FKRCX) and Allspring Precious Metals Fund (EKWAX) have volatilities of 17.83% and 17.91%, 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

	FKRCX	EKWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.83%	17.91%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.33%	38.70%	-0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.73%	45.99%	-1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.45%	34.09%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.16%	33.36%	-0.20%

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FKRCX has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is lower than EKWAX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FKRCX vs. EKWAX - Dividend Comparison

FKRCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.10%, more than EKWAX's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EKWAX Allspring Precious Metals Fund	1.37%	1.19%	0.84%	0.00%	2.01%	1.35%	1.45%	0.11%	0.00%	1.34%	1.11%
FKRCX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund	12.10%	10.75%	13.44%	3.12%	0.00%	9.37%	10.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.37%	8.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FKRCX and EKWAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FKRCX and EKWAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FKRCX or EKWAX?

EKWAX has higher volatility (17.91%) compared to FKRCX (17.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FKRCX dropped -78.85% vs EKWAX's -76.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FKRCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.00), 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.