RYDAX vs. RYAIX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

RYDAX (Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund) and RYAIX (Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - RYDAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Rydex Funds, while RYAIX is a Inverse Equities fund managed by Rydex Funds. Over the past 10 years, RYDAX returned 11.44%/yr vs -18.82%/yr for RYAIX. At a correlation of -0.71, they often move in opposite directions. RYDAX charges 1.58%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for RYAIX.

Performance

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) and Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund (RYAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RYDAX achieves a 9.59% return, which is significantly higher than RYAIX's -14.53% return. Over the past 10 years, RYDAX has outperformed RYAIX with an annualized return of 11.44%, while RYAIX has yielded a comparatively lower -18.82% annualized return.

RYDAX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.21%
• 6M: 6.55%
• YTD: 9.59%
• 1Y: 19.07%
• 3Y*: 15.32%
• 5Y*: 8.89%
• 10Y*: 11.44%

RYAIX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.66%
• 6M: -13.69%
• YTD: -14.53%
• 1Y: -20.79%
• 3Y*: -16.65%
• 5Y*: -13.01%
• 10Y*: -18.82%

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

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RYDAX Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund	9.59%	12.98%	13.10%	14.36%	-8.88%	19.11%	7.47%	23.13%	-5.14%	26.19%
RYAIX Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund	-14.53%	-15.63%	-15.64%	-31.71%	35.92%	-24.88%	-40.98%	-27.65%	-2.63%	-24.47%

Correlation

The correlation between RYDAX and RYAIX is -0.62, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	-0.71

The correlation between RYDAX and RYAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.71 to -0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RYDAX vs. RYAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYDAX

RYDAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
RYDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
RYDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
RYDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
RYDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
RYDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

RYAIX

RYAIX Risk / Return Rank: 0
RYAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
RYAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
RYAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 0
RYAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
RYAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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. RYAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) and Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund (RYAIX). 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.

	RYDAX	RYAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	-1.12	+2.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	-1.62	+3.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	0.82	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	-0.82	+2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.57	-1.69	+9.26

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is higher than the RYAIX Sharpe Ratio of -1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYDAX and RYAIX, 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

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYDAX drawdown since its inception was -37.34%, smaller than the maximum RYAIX drawdown of -98.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYDAX and RYAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYDAX	RYAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.34%	-98.93%	+61.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.86%	-25.47%	+15.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.50%	-50.13%	+33.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.12%	-61.15%	+39.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.34%	-87.96%	+50.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-98.89%	+98.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.30%	-73.39%	+69.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	12.37%	-9.76%

Volatility

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) is 2.43%, while Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund (RYAIX) has a volatility of 7.84%. This indicates that RYDAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RYAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RYDAX	RYAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.43%	7.84%	-5.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.71%	15.39%	-5.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.31%	18.66%	-6.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.87%	23.24%	-8.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.58%	22.80%	-5.22%

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RYDAX has a 1.58% expense ratio, which is higher than RYAIX's 1.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

RYDAX vs. RYAIX - Dividend Comparison

RYDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than RYAIX's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
RYAIX Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund	2.61%	2.23%	5.67%	4.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYDAX and RYAIX in my portfolio?

RYDAX and RYAIX have a correlation of -0.62, 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 RYAIX?

RYAIX has higher volatility (7.84%) compared to RYDAX (2.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYDAX dropped -37.34% vs RYAIX's -98.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs -1.12), 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.