NASDX vs. DOW

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

NASDX (Shelton Capital Management Nasdaq-100 Index Fund Direct Shares) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while DOW (Dow Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, NASDX returned 17.08%/yr vs -8.45%/yr for DOW. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NASDX vs. DOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Shelton Capital Management Nasdaq-100 Index Fund Direct Shares (NASDX) and Dow Inc. (DOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NASDX achieves a 16.12% return, which is significantly lower than DOW's 32.51% return.

NASDX

• 1D: -1.88%
• 1M: -1.07%
• 6M: 13.91%
• YTD: 16.12%
• 1Y: 28.77%
• 3Y*: 27.75%
• 5Y*: 17.08%
• 10Y*: 21.82%

DOW

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -10.46%
• 6M: 16.69%
• YTD: 32.51%
• 1Y: 12.90%
• 3Y*: -11.99%
• 5Y*: -8.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

NASDX vs. DOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NASDX Shelton Capital Management Nasdaq-100 Index Fund Direct Shares	16.12%	21.00%	36.91%	54.69%	-32.57%	27.32%	48.59%	18.81%
DOW Dow Inc.	32.51%	-37.38%	-22.79%	14.71%	-6.65%	6.81%	7.88%	8.40%

Correlation

The correlation between NASDX and DOW is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2019	0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between NASDX and DOW has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NASDX vs. DOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

NASDX

NASDX Risk / Return Rank: 53
NASDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
NASDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
NASDX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NASDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
NASDX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DOW

DOW Risk / Return Rank: 54
DOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
DOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DOW Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DOW Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

NASDX vs. DOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Shelton Capital Management Nasdaq-100 Index Fund Direct Shares (NASDX) and Dow Inc. (DOW). 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.

	NASDX	DOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	0.27	+1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	0.72	+1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.09	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	0.37	+2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.93	0.71	+8.22

NASDX vs. DOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NASDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is higher than the DOW Sharpe Ratio of 0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NASDX and DOW, 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

NASDX vs. DOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NASDX drawdown since its inception was -83.16%, which is greater than DOW's maximum drawdown of -64.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NASDX and DOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	NASDX	DOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.16%	-64.37%	-18.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-34.81%	+22.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.71%	-62.16%	+39.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.33%	-64.37%	+29.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-45.55%	+41.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.24%	-23.05%	-11.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	18.25%	-14.98%

Volatility

NASDX vs. DOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Shelton Capital Management Nasdaq-100 Index Fund Direct Shares (NASDX) is 8.35%, while Dow Inc. (DOW) has a volatility of 10.74%. This indicates that NASDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NASDX	DOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.35%	10.74%	-2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.25%	33.37%	-18.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.56%	48.87%	-30.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.43%	33.79%	-10.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.81%	38.69%	-15.88%

Dividends

NASDX vs. DOW - Dividend Comparison

NASDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.11%, less than DOW's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DOW Dow Inc.	4.62%	8.98%	6.98%	5.11%	5.56%	4.94%	5.05%	3.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NASDX Shelton Capital Management Nasdaq-100 Index Fund Direct Shares	3.11%	3.76%	16.95%	7.61%	3.75%	2.59%	1.28%	7.09%	2.47%	1.65%	0.75%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NASDX and DOW in my portfolio?

NASDX and DOW have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NASDX or DOW?

DOW has higher volatility (10.74%) compared to NASDX (8.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NASDX dropped -83.16% vs DOW's -64.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NASDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 0.27), 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.