GAAEX vs. OBEGX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GAAEX (Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund) and OBEGX (Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GAAEX returned 10.98%/yr vs 11.89%/yr for OBEGX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GAAEX charges 1.98%/yr vs 1.51%/yr for OBEGX.

Performance

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (GAAEX) and Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund (OBEGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAAEX achieves a 19.37% return, which is significantly lower than OBEGX's 27.35% return. Over the past 10 years, GAAEX has underperformed OBEGX with an annualized return of 10.98%, while OBEGX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.89% annualized return.

GAAEX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 5.57%
• YTD: 19.37%
• 6M: 18.26%
• 1Y: 41.34%
• 3Y*: 6.62%
• 5Y*: 3.98%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

OBEGX

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 2.43%
• YTD: 27.35%
• 6M: 24.56%
• 1Y: 45.38%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 6.51%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

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

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAAEX Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund	19.37%	26.64%	-11.85%	-2.39%	-12.67%	8.40%	86.45%	30.20%	-15.49%	20.68%
OBEGX Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund	27.35%	19.32%	10.72%	6.40%	-26.76%	20.80%	55.68%	25.67%	-25.62%	33.35%

Correlation

The correlation between GAAEX and OBEGX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2006	0.70

The correlation between GAAEX and OBEGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAAEX vs. OBEGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAAEX

GAAEX Risk / Return Rank: 54
GAAEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
GAAEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
GAAEX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
GAAEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
GAAEX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

OBEGX

OBEGX Risk / Return Rank: 68
OBEGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
OBEGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
OBEGX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
OBEGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
OBEGX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (GAAEX) and Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund (OBEGX). 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.

	GAAEX	OBEGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.29	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	3.07	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	4.17	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.44	15.08	-4.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAAEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the OBEGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAAEX and OBEGX, 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

	GAAEX	OBEGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.29	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.28	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.53	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.06	0.24	-0.30

Drawdowns

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAAEX drawdown since its inception was -85.83%, roughly equal to the maximum OBEGX drawdown of -83.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAAEX and OBEGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAAEX	OBEGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.83%	-83.07%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.57%	-11.24%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	-25.41%	-9.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.64%	-39.68%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.64%	-41.54%	+0.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-49.08%	-1.23%	-47.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-63.64%	-33.71%	-29.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	3.10%	+1.00%

Volatility

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Volatility Comparison

Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (GAAEX) has a higher volatility of 7.58% compared to Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund (OBEGX) at 7.06%. This indicates that GAAEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than OBEGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAAEX	OBEGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.58%	7.06%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.12%	15.99%	-0.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.45%	20.49%	-1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.46%	23.20%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.38%	22.63%	-0.25%

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAAEX has a 1.98% expense ratio, which is higher than OBEGX's 1.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAAEX vs. OBEGX - Dividend Comparison

GAAEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, less than OBEGX's 9.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAAEX Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund	0.27%	0.33%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%
OBEGX Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund	9.94%	12.66%	0.00%	0.00%	2.64%	25.09%	5.80%	0.00%	6.68%	13.37%	1.12%	14.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAAEX and OBEGX in my portfolio?

GAAEX and OBEGX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAAEX or OBEGX?

GAAEX has higher volatility (7.58%) compared to OBEGX (7.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAAEX dropped -85.83% vs OBEGX's -83.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OBEGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.21), 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.