GAGEX vs. VGELX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GAGEX (Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund) and VGELX (Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GAGEX returned 7.37%/yr vs 9.54%/yr for VGELX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GAGEX charges 1.46%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for VGELX.

Performance

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund (GAGEX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAGEX achieves a 33.96% return, which is significantly higher than VGELX's 20.09% return. Over the past 10 years, GAGEX has underperformed VGELX with an annualized return of 7.37%, while VGELX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.54% annualized return.

GAGEX

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: -3.02%
• YTD: 33.96%
• 6M: 30.60%
• 1Y: 53.08%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 17.28%
• 10Y*: 7.37%

VGELX

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -3.38%
• YTD: 20.09%
• 6M: 18.16%
• 1Y: 33.01%
• 3Y*: 28.30%
• 5Y*: 22.13%
• 10Y*: 9.54%

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

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAGEX Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund	33.96%	16.88%	-1.75%	2.66%	34.32%	45.96%	-34.12%	10.45%	-18.96%	-1.04%
VGELX Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares	20.09%	20.76%	30.46%	8.87%	23.70%	27.80%	-30.80%	13.32%	-17.12%	3.31%

Correlation

The correlation between GAGEX and VGELX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2004	0.94

The correlation between GAGEX and VGELX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.94 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GAGEX vs. VGELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAGEX

GAGEX Risk / Return Rank: 86
GAGEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
GAGEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
GAGEX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GAGEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
GAGEX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VGELX

VGELX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VGELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VGELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VGELX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VGELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VGELX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund (GAGEX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). 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.

	GAGEX	VGELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	2.76	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	3.76	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.49	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.45	5.86	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.92	20.18	-0.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAGEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the VGELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAGEX and VGELX, 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

	GAGEX	VGELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	2.76	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	1.19	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.41	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.35	-0.11

Drawdowns

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAGEX drawdown since its inception was -78.90%, which is greater than VGELX's maximum drawdown of -65.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAGEX and VGELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAGEX	VGELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.90%	-65.22%	-13.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.53%	-5.69%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.67%	-12.30%	-11.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.42%	-19.72%	-6.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.98%	-61.13%	-8.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.80%	-4.24%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.23%	-19.15%	-10.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	1.65%	+1.10%

Volatility

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Volatility Comparison

Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund (GAGEX) has a higher volatility of 7.20% compared to Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX) at 4.91%. This indicates that GAGEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAGEX	VGELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.20%	4.91%	+2.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	10.17%	+4.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.43%	12.10%	+6.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.61%	18.72%	+4.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.31%	23.21%	+4.10%

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAGEX has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VGELX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAGEX vs. VGELX - Dividend Comparison

GAGEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, less than VGELX's 7.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAGEX Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund	2.11%	2.82%	7.08%	4.33%	0.15%	2.59%	3.59%	1.91%	1.72%	1.40%	1.13%	1.33%
VGELX Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares	7.20%	4.79%	34.15%	6.91%	4.71%	3.70%	4.54%	3.38%	3.07%	3.05%	1.91%	2.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAGEX and VGELX in my portfolio?

GAGEX and VGELX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAGEX or VGELX?

GAGEX has higher volatility (7.20%) compared to VGELX (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAGEX dropped -78.90% vs VGELX's -65.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAGEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.76), 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.