HCMAX vs. TOWFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

HCMAX (Hillman Value Fund) and TOWFX (Towpath Focus Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, HCMAX returned 11.71%/yr vs 18.70%/yr for TOWFX. Their correlation of 0.80 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HCMAX charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for TOWFX.

Performance

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hillman Value Fund (HCMAX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HCMAX achieves a 9.06% return, which is significantly lower than TOWFX's 13.66% return.

HCMAX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 2.19%
• 6M: 6.13%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.14%

TOWFX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 3.49%
• 6M: 10.02%
• YTD: 13.66%
• 1Y: 28.88%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: 12.82%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.92%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HCMAX Hillman Value Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HCMAX Hillman Value Fund	9.06%	10.12%	11.09%	24.39%	-8.05%
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	13.66%	23.51%	13.22%	12.33%	1.97%

Correlation

The correlation between HCMAX and TOWFX is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2022	0.80

The correlation between HCMAX and TOWFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HCMAX vs. TOWFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HCMAX

HCMAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
HCMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
HCMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
HCMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
HCMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
HCMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

TOWFX

TOWFX Risk / Return Rank: 96
TOWFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
TOWFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
TOWFX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
TOWFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
TOWFX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hillman Value Fund (HCMAX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX). 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.

	HCMAX	TOWFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	2.90	-1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	4.35	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.52	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	5.80	-4.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.06	21.97	-17.91

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCMAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the TOWFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCMAX and TOWFX, 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

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCMAX drawdown since its inception was -23.03%, smaller than the maximum TOWFX drawdown of -96.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCMAX and TOWFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCMAX	TOWFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.03%	-96.18%	+73.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.34%	-4.72%	-5.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.14%	-96.18%	+80.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-96.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-94.38%	+94.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.22%	-24.74%	+19.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	1.25%	+2.43%

Volatility

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Volatility Comparison

Hillman Value Fund (HCMAX) has a higher volatility of 5.12% compared to Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) at 3.24%. This indicates that HCMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TOWFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HCMAX	TOWFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	3.24%	+1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	7.28%	+3.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.95%	9.45%	+4.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.03%	1,041.96%	-1,024.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.03%	908.81%	-891.78%

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCMAX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than TOWFX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCMAX vs. TOWFX - Dividend Comparison

HCMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.09%, more than TOWFX's 1.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HCMAX Hillman Value Fund	15.09%	16.45%	21.58%	3.09%	12.34%	0.00%	0.00%
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	1.60%	1.82%	1.49%	2.81%	2.05%	5.69%	5.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HCMAX and TOWFX in my portfolio?

HCMAX and TOWFX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HCMAX or TOWFX?

HCMAX has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to TOWFX (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCMAX dropped -23.03% vs TOWFX's -96.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TOWFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 1.07), 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.