PENNX vs. HFCGX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PENNX (Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund) and HFCGX (Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PENNX returned 12.48%/yr vs 12.66%/yr for HFCGX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PENNX charges 0.92%/yr vs 1.34%/yr for HFCGX.

Performance

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund (PENNX) and Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund (HFCGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PENNX achieves a 20.13% return, which is significantly higher than HFCGX's 12.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PENNX having a 12.48% annualized return and HFCGX not far ahead at 12.66%.

PENNX

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: 4.13%
• YTD: 20.13%
• 6M: 17.34%
• 1Y: 33.32%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 8.86%
• 10Y*: 12.48%

HFCGX

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 12.05%
• 6M: 10.82%
• 1Y: 17.26%
• 3Y*: 22.41%
• 5Y*: 12.75%
• 10Y*: 12.66%

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

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PENNX Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund	20.13%	9.02%	7.02%	26.82%	-17.18%	21.49%	14.11%	26.61%	-9.94%	16.00%
HFCGX Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund	12.05%	4.78%	31.45%	19.58%	-4.97%	29.94%	17.73%	20.70%	-21.39%	16.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PENNX and HFCGX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 1996	0.85

The correlation between PENNX and HFCGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.85 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PENNX vs. HFCGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PENNX

PENNX Risk / Return Rank: 59
PENNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PENNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PENNX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
PENNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PENNX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

HFCGX

HFCGX Risk / Return Rank: 29
HFCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
HFCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
HFCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
HFCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HFCGX 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.

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund (PENNX) and Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund (HFCGX). 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.

	PENNX	HFCGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	1.30	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	1.89	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.23	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	2.25	+1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.01	7.08	+4.92

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PENNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is higher than the HFCGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PENNX and HFCGX, 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

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PENNX drawdown since its inception was -57.00%, smaller than the maximum HFCGX drawdown of -62.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PENNX and HFCGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PENNX	HFCGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.00%	-62.35%	+5.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.21%	-7.82%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.42%	-22.86%	-3.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.58%	-26.30%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.10%	-54.22%	+13.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.33%	-4.42%	+3.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.39%	-15.21%	+5.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	2.48%	+0.44%

Volatility

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund (PENNX) is 5.51%, while Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund (HFCGX) has a volatility of 6.06%. This indicates that PENNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HFCGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PENNX	HFCGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.51%	6.06%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.57%	10.52%	+3.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.35%	13.57%	+4.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.79%	24.05%	-3.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.57%	25.84%	-4.27%

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PENNX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is lower than HFCGX's 1.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

PENNX vs. HFCGX - Dividend Comparison

PENNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.58%, while HFCGX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFCGX Hennessy Cornerstone Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	14.11%	0.38%	3.58%	26.58%	0.00%	0.00%	10.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.11%
PENNX Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund	5.58%	6.70%	9.35%	4.91%	5.19%	28.20%	5.05%	3.85%	23.68%	21.27%	7.15%	23.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PENNX and HFCGX in my portfolio?

PENNX and HFCGX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PENNX or HFCGX?

HFCGX has higher volatility (6.06%) compared to PENNX (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PENNX dropped -57.00% vs HFCGX's -62.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PENNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.30), 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.