GASFX vs. VBLAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GASFX (Hennessy Gas Utility Fund) and VBLAX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - GASFX is a Utilities Equities fund managed by Hennessy, while VBLAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, GASFX returned 12.33%/yr vs -3.13%/yr for VBLAX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GASFX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBLAX.

Performance

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hennessy Gas Utility Fund (GASFX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GASFX achieves a 9.02% return, which is significantly higher than VBLAX's 0.45% return.

GASFX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -4.14%
• YTD: 9.02%
• 6M: 7.50%
• 1Y: 11.12%
• 3Y*: 15.68%
• 5Y*: 12.33%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

VBLAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: -0.47%
• 1Y: 7.06%
• 3Y*: 2.09%
• 5Y*: -3.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GASFX Hennessy Gas Utility Fund	9.02%	10.42%	24.98%	0.27%	13.68%	19.60%	-9.34%	12.41%
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.45%	6.57%	-4.14%	7.55%	-27.22%	-3.36%	15.75%	16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between GASFX and VBLAX is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.09

The correlation between GASFX and VBLAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.25 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GASFX vs. VBLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GASFX

GASFX Risk / Return Rank: 14
GASFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
GASFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
GASFX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GASFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
GASFX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

VBLAX

VBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
VBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hennessy Gas Utility Fund (GASFX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX). 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.

	GASFX	VBLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	0.86	+0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	1.28	+0.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.15	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	1.18	+0.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.93	3.04	+1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GASFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the VBLAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GASFX and VBLAX, 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

	GASFX	VBLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	0.86	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	-0.24	+1.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.05	+0.52

Drawdowns

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GASFX drawdown since its inception was -49.33%, which is greater than VBLAX's maximum drawdown of -38.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GASFX and VBLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GASFX	VBLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.33%	-38.62%	-10.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-5.98%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.43%	-14.92%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.25%	-36.32%	+18.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.23%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.41%	-24.51%	+19.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-18.11%	+10.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	2.33%	-0.07%

Volatility

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Volatility Comparison

Hennessy Gas Utility Fund (GASFX) has a higher volatility of 4.71% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) at 2.56%. This indicates that GASFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GASFX	VBLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	2.56%	+2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	5.72%	+3.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	8.25%	+3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.47%	12.89%	+2.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.68%	12.64%	+5.04%

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GASFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than VBLAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

GASFX vs. VBLAX - Dividend Comparison

GASFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.13%, more than VBLAX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GASFX Hennessy Gas Utility Fund	11.13%	12.06%	7.36%	6.63%	15.49%	10.63%	10.93%	7.11%	12.31%	2.96%	3.52%	5.64%
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.74%	4.64%	4.61%	4.08%	4.13%	2.62%	5.39%	3.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GASFX and VBLAX in my portfolio?

GASFX and VBLAX have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GASFX or VBLAX?

GASFX has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to VBLAX (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GASFX dropped -49.33% vs VBLAX's -38.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GASFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.94 vs 0.86), 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.