RYILX vs. RYAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RYILX (Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund) and RYAIX (Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - RYILX is a Inverse Bonds fund managed by Rydex Funds, while RYAIX is a Inverse Equities fund managed by Rydex Funds. Over the past 10 years, RYILX returned -3.04%/yr vs -19.29%/yr for RYAIX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 1.55% expense ratio.

Performance

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund (RYILX) 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, RYILX achieves a 1.38% return, which is significantly higher than RYAIX's -17.50% return. Over the past 10 years, RYILX has outperformed RYAIX with an annualized return of -3.04%, while RYAIX has yielded a comparatively lower -19.29% annualized return.

RYILX

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 1.44%
• 1Y: -1.85%
• 3Y*: -1.98%
• 5Y*: -0.29%
• 10Y*: -3.04%

RYAIX

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: -9.69%
• YTD: -17.50%
• 6M: -16.04%
• 1Y: -27.23%
• 3Y*: -19.27%
• 5Y*: -15.08%
• 10Y*: -19.29%

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

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RYILX Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund	1.38%	-4.36%	0.83%	-5.00%	8.71%	-3.58%	-5.89%	-11.11%	1.00%	-5.87%
RYAIX Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund	-17.50%	-15.63%	-15.64%	-31.71%	35.92%	-24.88%	-40.98%	-27.65%	-2.63%	-24.47%

Correlation

The correlation between RYILX and RYAIX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2007	0.55

The correlation between RYILX and RYAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RYILX vs. RYAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYILX

RYILX Risk / Return Rank: 1
RYILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
RYILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
RYILX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
RYILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
RYILX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund (RYILX) 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.

	RYILX	RYAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.39	-1.73	+1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.51	-2.58	+2.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	0.73	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.47	-1.01	+0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.71	-2.23	+1.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYILX Sharpe Ratio is -0.39, which is higher than the RYAIX Sharpe Ratio of -1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYILX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RYILX	RYAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.39	-1.73	+1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	-0.66	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.37	-0.85	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.75	-0.17	-0.58

Drawdowns

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYILX drawdown since its inception was -77.21%, smaller than the maximum RYAIX drawdown of -98.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYILX and RYAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYILX	RYAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.21%	-98.93%	+21.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-27.64%	+23.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	-50.13%	+37.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.44%	-61.15%	+45.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.94%	-89.04%	+61.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-76.82%	-98.93%	+22.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.10%	-73.29%	+15.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	12.65%	-10.00%

Volatility

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund (RYILX) is 1.71%, while Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund (RYAIX) has a volatility of 4.52%. This indicates that RYILX 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

	RYILX	RYAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.71%	4.52%	-2.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.97%	12.35%	-8.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.86%	16.17%	-11.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.54%	22.86%	-15.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.15%	22.66%	-14.51%

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both RYILX and RYAIX have an expense ratio of 1.55%.

Dividends

RYILX vs. RYAIX - Dividend Comparison

RYILX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RYAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RYAIX Rydex Inverse NASDAQ-100 Strategy Fund	2.70%	2.23%	5.67%	4.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.72%
RYILX Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.45%	7.79%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYILX and RYAIX in my portfolio?

RYILX and RYAIX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RYILX or RYAIX?

RYAIX has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to RYILX (1.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYILX dropped -77.21% vs RYAIX's -98.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYILX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.39 vs -1.73), 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.