PXSCX vs. PAXWX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PXSCX (Pax Small Cap Fund) and PAXWX (Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund) are both mutual funds - PXSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Pax World, while PAXWX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Pax World. Over the past 10 years, PXSCX returned 9.39%/yr vs 8.58%/yr for PAXWX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PXSCX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for PAXWX.

Performance

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pax Small Cap Fund (PXSCX) and Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund (PAXWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PXSCX achieves a 16.68% return, which is significantly higher than PAXWX's 4.41% return. Over the past 10 years, PXSCX has outperformed PAXWX with an annualized return of 9.39%, while PAXWX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.58% annualized return.

PXSCX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 6.03%
• YTD: 16.68%
• 6M: 13.68%
• 1Y: 37.40%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 6.58%
• 10Y*: 9.39%

PAXWX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 4.41%
• 6M: 3.82%
• 1Y: 12.53%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: 5.46%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

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

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PXSCX Pax Small Cap Fund	16.68%	11.53%	14.55%	13.51%	-22.99%	30.34%	11.81%	23.29%	-15.96%	8.78%
PAXWX Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund	4.41%	10.87%	12.61%	13.19%	-16.50%	15.31%	16.23%	20.84%	-4.07%	13.16%

Correlation

The correlation between PXSCX and PAXWX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2008	0.84

The correlation between PXSCX and PAXWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PXSCX vs. PAXWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PXSCX

PXSCX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PXSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PXSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
PXSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PXSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PXSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

PAXWX

PAXWX Risk / Return Rank: 36
PAXWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PAXWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
PAXWX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PAXWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PAXWX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pax Small Cap Fund (PXSCX) and Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund (PAXWX). 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.

	PXSCX	PAXWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.60	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.28	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.29	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	2.05	+1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.93	8.58	+5.35

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the PAXWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXSCX and PAXWX, 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

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXSCX drawdown since its inception was -51.55%, which is greater than PAXWX's maximum drawdown of -40.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXSCX and PAXWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXSCX	PAXWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.55%	-40.11%	-11.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.06%	-6.41%	-4.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.52%	-11.22%	-14.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.25%	-21.64%	-10.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.38%	-21.64%	-19.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.95%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.25%	-5.65%	-3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	1.53%	+1.28%

Volatility

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Volatility Comparison

Pax Small Cap Fund (PXSCX) has a higher volatility of 4.90% compared to Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund (PAXWX) at 3.09%. This indicates that PXSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PAXWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXSCX	PAXWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.90%	3.09%	+1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.00%	6.66%	+6.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.24%	8.21%	+9.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	10.82%	+9.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.91%	10.77%	+10.14%

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXSCX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than PAXWX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXSCX vs. PAXWX - Dividend Comparison

PXSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, less than PAXWX's 9.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAXWX Pax Sustainable Allocation Fund	9.23%	9.64%	8.33%	3.37%	6.24%	4.85%	2.80%	9.31%	2.90%	10.90%	3.02%	8.36%
PXSCX Pax Small Cap Fund	5.55%	6.47%	5.19%	0.00%	2.47%	9.60%	3.87%	0.89%	14.72%	1.56%	2.24%	0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PXSCX and PAXWX in my portfolio?

PXSCX and PAXWX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PXSCX or PAXWX?

PXSCX has higher volatility (4.90%) compared to PAXWX (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXSCX dropped -51.55% vs PAXWX's -40.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PXSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.60), 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.