FSTEX vs. VAFAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FSTEX (Invesco Energy Fund) and VAFAX (Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - FSTEX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Invesco, while VAFAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Invesco. Over the past 10 years, FSTEX returned 7.08%/yr vs 15.86%/yr for VAFAX. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSTEX charges 1.36%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for VAFAX.

Performance

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Energy Fund (FSTEX) and Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSTEX achieves a 33.02% return, which is significantly higher than VAFAX's 8.97% return. Over the past 10 years, FSTEX has underperformed VAFAX with an annualized return of 7.08%, while VAFAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.86% annualized return.

FSTEX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -2.51%
• YTD: 33.02%
• 6M: 30.09%
• 1Y: 48.72%
• 3Y*: 19.91%
• 5Y*: 21.28%
• 10Y*: 7.08%

VAFAX

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 8.97%
• 6M: 7.79%
• 1Y: 21.60%
• 3Y*: 23.04%
• 5Y*: 10.51%
• 10Y*: 15.86%

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

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSTEX Invesco Energy Fund	33.02%	12.31%	6.00%	0.28%	52.85%	55.99%	-32.13%	4.78%	-26.82%	-8.26%
VAFAX Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A	8.97%	11.86%	34.78%	40.91%	-31.20%	11.13%	42.15%	36.55%	-3.99%	27.11%

Correlation

The correlation between FSTEX and VAFAX is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2005	0.46

The correlation between FSTEX and VAFAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FSTEX vs. VAFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSTEX

FSTEX Risk / Return Rank: 71
FSTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FSTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
FSTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FSTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FSTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VAFAX

VAFAX Risk / Return Rank: 15
VAFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VAFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VAFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VAFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VAFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Energy Fund (FSTEX) and Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX). 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.

	FSTEX	VAFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.17	+1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	1.64	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.21	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.57	1.17	+3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.52	3.52	+10.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSTEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the VAFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSTEX and VAFAX, 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

	FSTEX	VAFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.17	+1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.46	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.71	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.57	-0.31

Drawdowns

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSTEX drawdown since its inception was -83.31%, which is greater than VAFAX's maximum drawdown of -48.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTEX and VAFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSTEX	VAFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.31%	-48.48%	-34.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.30%	-19.27%	+8.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.58%	-27.24%	+8.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.88%	-38.86%	+11.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.41%	-38.86%	-34.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.73%	-0.60%	-4.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.20%	-8.13%	-17.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	6.35%	-3.12%

Volatility

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Energy Fund (FSTEX) has a higher volatility of 7.69% compared to Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX) at 5.02%. This indicates that FSTEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSTEX	VAFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.69%	5.02%	+2.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.32%	14.64%	+0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.96%	19.21%	-0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.16%	23.05%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.72%	22.31%	+7.41%

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSTEX has a 1.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VAFAX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSTEX vs. VAFAX - Dividend Comparison

FSTEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, less than VAFAX's 12.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSTEX Invesco Energy Fund	1.67%	2.22%	4.03%	2.11%	0.89%	1.80%	2.21%	1.53%	3.05%	2.22%	1.10%	1.58%
VAFAX Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A	12.93%	14.09%	3.74%	0.00%	8.32%	26.50%	8.78%	6.85%	10.42%	5.37%	4.08%	4.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSTEX and VAFAX in my portfolio?

FSTEX and VAFAX have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSTEX or VAFAX?

FSTEX has higher volatility (7.69%) compared to VAFAX (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSTEX dropped -83.31% vs VAFAX's -48.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSTEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.17), 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.