HSSAX vs. HSFNX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

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

Performance

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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

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%

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%

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

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
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%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

HSSAX vs. HSFNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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

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.

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

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

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Volatility Comparison

Emerald Finance and Banking Innovation Fund (HSSAX) has a higher volatility of 6.63% compared to Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) at 6.21%. This indicates that HSSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HSFNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

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

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HSSAX vs. HSFNX - Dividend Comparison

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

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 HSSAX and HSFNX in my portfolio?

HSSAX and HSFNX 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, HSSAX or HSFNX?

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

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.