HSFNX vs. HSSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HSFNX (Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund) and HSSAX (Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund) are both Financials Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HSFNX returned 10.26%/yr vs 4.75%/yr for HSSAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HSFNX charges 1.58%/yr vs 1.71%/yr for HSSAX.

Performance

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) and Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund (HSSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HSFNX achieves a 11.31% return, which is significantly higher than HSSAX's 0.60% return. Over the past 10 years, HSFNX has outperformed HSSAX with an annualized return of 10.26%, while HSSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.75% annualized return.

HSFNX

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 4.45%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 8.11%
• 1Y: 34.15%
• 3Y*: 22.93%
• 5Y*: 6.75%
• 10Y*: 10.26%

HSSAX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 5.92%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: -2.51%
• 1Y: 10.94%
• 3Y*: 19.81%
• 5Y*: -5.81%
• 10Y*: 4.75%

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

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HSFNX Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund	11.31%	12.79%	10.76%	4.64%	-11.14%	42.76%	2.56%	19.91%	-15.88%	-0.20%
HSSAX Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund	0.60%	12.11%	16.47%	15.58%	-55.87%	38.83%	11.94%	20.55%	-19.86%	12.63%

Correlation

The correlation between HSFNX and HSSAX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1998	0.84

The correlation between HSFNX and HSSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HSFNX vs. HSSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSFNX

HSFNX Risk / Return Rank: 38
HSFNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
HSFNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
HSFNX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
HSFNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
HSFNX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

HSSAX

HSSAX Risk / Return Rank: 7
HSSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
HSSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
HSSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
HSSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
HSSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) and Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund (HSSAX). 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.

	HSFNX	HSSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	0.56	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	0.93	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.12	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	0.70	+2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	1.51	+5.68

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSFNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the HSSAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSFNX and HSSAX, 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

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSFNX drawdown since its inception was -70.18%, roughly equal to the maximum HSSAX drawdown of -73.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSFNX and HSSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSFNX	HSSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.18%	-73.01%	+2.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.61%	-19.61%	+6.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.33%	-22.17%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.00%	-73.01%	+30.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.68%	-73.01%	+22.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.39%	-47.78%	+46.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.97%	-19.01%	-6.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.18%	9.12%	-3.94%

Volatility

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) is 6.21%, while Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund (HSSAX) has a volatility of 6.63%. This indicates that HSFNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HSSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HSFNX	HSSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.21%	6.63%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.00%	17.65%	-1.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.15%	24.56%	-0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.36%	29.31%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.35%	28.25%	+1.10%

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HSFNX has a 1.58% expense ratio, which is lower than HSSAX's 1.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

HSFNX vs. HSSAX - Dividend Comparison

HSFNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.87%, while HSSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HSFNX Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund	9.87%	10.99%	5.97%	4.63%	9.14%	0.97%	0.91%	3.43%	7.34%	8.19%	12.46%	7.38%
HSSAX Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.98%	0.00%	0.00%	11.48%	0.00%	0.00%	26.56%	2.83%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HSFNX and HSSAX in my portfolio?

HSFNX and HSSAX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HSFNX or HSSAX?

HSSAX has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to HSFNX (6.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HSFNX dropped -70.18% vs HSSAX's -73.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HSFNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.56), 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.