GAAEX vs. PREIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GAAEX (Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund) and PREIX (T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund) are both mutual funds - GAAEX is a Global Equities fund managed by Guinness Atkinson, while PREIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, GAAEX returned 10.99%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for PREIX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GAAEX charges 1.98%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PREIX.

Performance

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (GAAEX) and T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAAEX achieves a 16.38% return, which is significantly higher than PREIX's 9.68% return. Over the past 10 years, GAAEX has underperformed PREIX with an annualized return of 10.99%, while PREIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.55% annualized return.

GAAEX

• 1D: 1.93%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 16.38%
• 6M: 14.75%
• 1Y: 37.54%
• 3Y*: 4.84%
• 5Y*: 3.59%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

PREIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.68%
• 6M: 8.67%
• 1Y: 25.27%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 13.41%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAAEX Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund	16.38%	26.64%	-11.85%	-2.39%	-12.67%	8.40%	86.45%	30.20%	-15.49%	20.68%
PREIX T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund	9.68%	17.66%	24.78%	26.07%	-18.27%	28.48%	18.17%	31.47%	-4.59%	21.01%

Correlation

The correlation between GAAEX and PREIX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2006	0.68

The correlation between GAAEX and PREIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAAEX vs. PREIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAAEX

GAAEX Risk / Return Rank: 44
GAAEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
GAAEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
GAAEX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GAAEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
GAAEX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

PREIX

PREIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PREIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PREIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PREIX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PREIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PREIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. PREIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (GAAEX) and T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX). 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.

	GAAEX	PREIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.13	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	2.88	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	2.98	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.87	13.43	-4.55

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAAEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the PREIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAAEX and PREIX, 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

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAAEX drawdown since its inception was -85.83%, which is greater than PREIX's maximum drawdown of -55.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAAEX and PREIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAAEX	PREIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.83%	-55.32%	-30.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.57%	-8.93%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.21%	-18.78%	-16.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.64%	-24.60%	-16.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.64%	-33.81%	-6.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.36%	-1.73%	-48.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-63.61%	-8.71%	-54.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.21%	1.98%	+2.23%

Volatility

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Volatility Comparison

Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (GAAEX) has a higher volatility of 8.87% compared to T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund (PREIX) at 4.68%. This indicates that GAAEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PREIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAAEX	PREIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.87%	4.68%	+4.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.45%	9.84%	+6.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.37%	12.51%	+7.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.65%	17.09%	+5.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.44%	18.15%	+4.29%

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAAEX has a 1.98% expense ratio, which is higher than PREIX's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAAEX vs. PREIX - Dividend Comparison

GAAEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than PREIX's 2.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAAEX Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund	0.28%	0.33%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%
PREIX T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund	2.14%	2.32%	1.17%	1.32%	1.50%	1.56%	1.97%	2.13%	2.60%	1.30%	2.03%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAAEX and PREIX in my portfolio?

GAAEX and PREIX have a correlation of 0.77, 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 PREIX?

GAAEX has higher volatility (8.87%) compared to PREIX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAAEX dropped -85.83% vs PREIX's -55.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.84), 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.