QMLFX vs. HSTRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QMLFX (Quantified Market Leaders Fund) and HSTRX (Hussman Strategic Total Return Fund) are both Tactical Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, QMLFX returned 10.70%/yr vs 5.19%/yr for HSTRX. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QMLFX charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for HSTRX.

Performance

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) and Hussman Strategic Total Return Fund (HSTRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QMLFX achieves a 20.94% return, which is significantly higher than HSTRX's 4.14% return. Over the past 10 years, QMLFX has outperformed HSTRX with an annualized return of 10.70%, while HSTRX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.19% annualized return.

QMLFX

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 11.94%
• YTD: 20.94%
• 6M: 18.16%
• 1Y: 40.12%
• 3Y*: 14.24%
• 5Y*: 0.97%
• 10Y*: 10.70%

HSTRX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 4.14%
• 6M: 4.60%
• 1Y: 15.23%
• 3Y*: 11.29%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: 5.19%

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

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QMLFX Quantified Market Leaders Fund	20.94%	0.97%	11.05%	15.04%	-23.59%	13.22%	37.81%	26.08%	-13.48%	16.76%
HSTRX Hussman Strategic Total Return Fund	4.14%	20.33%	6.06%	6.04%	-6.23%	1.21%	11.45%	11.42%	1.48%	1.21%

Correlation

The correlation between QMLFX and HSTRX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2013	0.15

The correlation between QMLFX and HSTRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.32 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QMLFX vs. HSTRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMLFX

QMLFX Risk / Return Rank: 54
QMLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
QMLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
QMLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
QMLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
QMLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

HSTRX

HSTRX Risk / Return Rank: 90
HSTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
HSTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
HSTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
HSTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
HSTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) and Hussman Strategic Total Return Fund (HSTRX). 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.

	QMLFX	HSTRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.94	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	4.34	-1.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.61	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.06	6.26	-2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	17.32	-5.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the HSTRX Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMLFX and HSTRX, 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

	QMLFX	HSTRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.94	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.89	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.88	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.86	-0.44

Drawdowns

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMLFX drawdown since its inception was -36.59%, which is greater than HSTRX's maximum drawdown of -13.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMLFX and HSTRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMLFX	HSTRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.59%	-13.53%	-23.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.07%	-2.42%	-7.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.21%	-4.24%	-22.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.59%	-13.53%	-23.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.59%	-13.53%	-23.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.08%	+1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.53%	-2.69%	-9.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	0.87%	+2.54%

Volatility

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Volatility Comparison

Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) has a higher volatility of 7.72% compared to Hussman Strategic Total Return Fund (HSTRX) at 1.08%. This indicates that QMLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HSTRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMLFX	HSTRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.72%	1.08%	+6.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.42%	2.45%	+11.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.54%	5.20%	+15.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.23%	6.42%	+13.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	5.90%	+15.08%

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMLFX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than HSTRX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMLFX vs. HSTRX - Dividend Comparison

QMLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than HSTRX's 2.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HSTRX Hussman Strategic Total Return Fund	2.36%	2.25%	2.91%	2.54%	2.15%	1.33%	0.52%	1.29%	1.20%	0.37%	0.25%	0.42%
QMLFX Quantified Market Leaders Fund	1.13%	1.37%	0.00%	1.99%	0.00%	26.84%	9.58%	0.00%	15.63%	12.15%	2.22%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMLFX and HSTRX in my portfolio?

QMLFX and HSTRX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QMLFX or HSTRX?

QMLFX has higher volatility (7.72%) compared to HSTRX (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMLFX dropped -36.59% vs HSTRX's -13.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HSTRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.99), 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.