RYDAX vs. PKAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RYDAX (Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund) and PKAIX (PIMCO RAE US Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, RYDAX returned 11.59%/yr vs 14.21%/yr for PKAIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RYDAX charges 1.58%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for PKAIX.

Performance

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) and PIMCO RAE US Fund (PKAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RYDAX achieves a 6.79% return, which is significantly lower than PKAIX's 24.56% return. Over the past 10 years, RYDAX has underperformed PKAIX with an annualized return of 11.59%, while PKAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.21% annualized return.

RYDAX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.95%
• YTD: 6.79%
• 6M: 7.15%
• 1Y: 20.72%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: 8.38%
• 10Y*: 11.59%

PKAIX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 7.80%
• YTD: 24.56%
• 6M: 20.98%
• 1Y: 43.47%
• 3Y*: 25.53%
• 5Y*: 15.06%
• 10Y*: 14.21%

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

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RYDAX Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund	6.79%	12.98%	13.10%	14.36%	-8.88%	19.11%	7.47%	23.13%	-5.14%	26.19%
PKAIX PIMCO RAE US Fund	24.56%	17.19%	16.28%	17.02%	-3.36%	27.74%	3.94%	24.92%	-6.92%	16.51%

Correlation

The correlation between RYDAX and PKAIX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.87

The correlation between RYDAX and PKAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RYDAX vs. PKAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYDAX

RYDAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
RYDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
RYDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
RYDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
RYDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
RYDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

PKAIX

PKAIX Risk / Return Rank: 95
PKAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PKAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PKAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PKAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PKAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) and PIMCO RAE US Fund (PKAIX). 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.

	RYDAX	PKAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	3.52	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	4.74	-2.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.62	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	8.80	-6.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.21	27.00	-18.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is lower than the PKAIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYDAX and PKAIX, 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

	RYDAX	PKAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	3.52	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.85	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.76	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.70	-0.03

Drawdowns

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYDAX drawdown since its inception was -37.34%, roughly equal to the maximum PKAIX drawdown of -38.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYDAX and PKAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYDAX	PKAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.34%	-38.56%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.86%	-5.15%	-4.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.50%	-20.31%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.12%	-20.64%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.34%	-38.56%	+1.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.34%	-4.72%	+0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	1.67%	+0.93%

Volatility

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Volatility Comparison

Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) and PIMCO RAE US Fund (PKAIX) have volatilities of 2.99% and 3.11%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RYDAX	PKAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	3.11%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.27%	9.37%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	12.88%	-0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	17.78%	-2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.61%	18.85%	-1.24%

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RYDAX has a 1.58% expense ratio, which is higher than PKAIX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

RYDAX vs. PKAIX - Dividend Comparison

RYDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than PKAIX's 11.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PKAIX PIMCO RAE US Fund	11.05%	13.77%	16.77%	6.65%	8.09%	10.03%	3.20%	4.91%	6.85%	5.85%	5.33%	3.49%
RYDAX Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund	0.35%	0.38%	1.73%	0.75%	3.17%	1.22%	4.87%	4.02%	1.25%	3.70%	0.56%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYDAX and PKAIX in my portfolio?

RYDAX and PKAIX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RYDAX or PKAIX?

PKAIX has higher volatility (3.11%) compared to RYDAX (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYDAX dropped -37.34% vs PKAIX's -38.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PKAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.52 vs 1.78), 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.