NALFX vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NALFX (New Alternatives Fund) and VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NALFX returned 3.11%/yr vs 10.98%/yr for VTWAX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NALFX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTWAX.

Performance

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in New Alternatives Fund (NALFX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NALFX achieves a 18.65% return, which is significantly higher than VTWAX's 12.29% return.

NALFX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 18.65%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 31.73%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 3.11%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

VTWAX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 6M: 13.02%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: —

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

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NALFX New Alternatives Fund	18.65%	28.13%	-6.03%	-2.49%	-15.87%	-4.78%	61.74%	28.70%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.29%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between NALFX and VTWAX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.69

The correlation between NALFX and VTWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NALFX vs. VTWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NALFX

NALFX Risk / Return Rank: 60
NALFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
NALFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NALFX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NALFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NALFX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for New Alternatives Fund (NALFX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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.

	NALFX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.38	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	3.27	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.43	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	3.05	+1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.67	13.64	-0.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NALFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NALFX and VTWAX, 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

	NALFX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.38	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.70	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.77	-0.34

Drawdowns

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NALFX drawdown since its inception was -59.67%, which is greater than VTWAX's maximum drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NALFX and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NALFX	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.67%	-34.20%	-25.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.53%	-9.64%	+2.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.52%	-16.43%	-8.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.03%	-26.40%	-11.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.76%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.84%	-5.30%	-9.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	2.15%	+0.37%

Volatility

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

New Alternatives Fund (NALFX) has a higher volatility of 5.32% compared to Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) at 3.64%. This indicates that NALFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NALFX	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.32%	3.64%	+1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.88%	9.84%	+2.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.80%	12.39%	+2.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.82%	15.72%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	18.20%	-0.17%

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NALFX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NALFX vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

NALFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than VTWAX's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NALFX New Alternatives Fund	0.98%	1.17%	2.04%	4.47%	4.63%	5.14%	4.93%	5.55%	6.62%	4.16%	3.71%	1.71%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.57%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NALFX and VTWAX in my portfolio?

NALFX and VTWAX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NALFX or VTWAX?

NALFX has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to VTWAX (3.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NALFX dropped -59.67% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.16), 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.