RYILX vs. RYDAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RYILX (Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund) and RYDAX (Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund) are both mutual funds - RYILX is a Inverse Bonds fund managed by Rydex Funds, while RYDAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Rydex Funds. Over the past 10 years, RYILX returned -2.97%/yr vs 11.93%/yr for RYDAX. At a correlation of -0.61, they often move in opposite directions. RYILX charges 1.55%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for RYDAX.

Performance

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RYILX achieves a 2.00% return, which is significantly lower than RYDAX's 7.64% return. Over the past 10 years, RYILX has underperformed RYDAX with an annualized return of -2.97%, while RYDAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.93% annualized return.

RYILX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 2.00%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: -0.61%
• 3Y*: -2.14%
• 5Y*: -0.06%
• 10Y*: -2.97%

RYDAX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 7.64%
• 6M: 6.76%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: 15.50%
• 5Y*: 9.01%
• 10Y*: 11.93%

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

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RYILX Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund	2.00%	-4.36%	0.83%	-5.00%	8.71%	-3.58%	-5.89%	-11.11%	1.00%	-5.87%
RYDAX Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund	7.64%	12.98%	13.10%	14.36%	-8.88%	19.11%	7.47%	23.13%	-5.14%	26.19%

Correlation

The correlation between RYILX and RYDAX 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	-0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	-0.61

The correlation between RYILX and RYDAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.63 to -0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RYILX vs. RYDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYILX

RYILX Risk / Return Rank: 2
RYILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
RYILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
RYILX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
RYILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
RYILX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

RYDAX

RYDAX Risk / Return Rank: 43
RYDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
RYDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
RYDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
RYDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
RYDAX 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.

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	RYILX	RYDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	1.82	-2.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.26	2.65	-2.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.32	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	2.30	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.49	8.66	-9.15

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYILX Sharpe Ratio is -0.21, which is lower than the RYDAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYILX and RYDAX, 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

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYILX drawdown since its inception was -77.21%, which is greater than RYDAX's maximum drawdown of -37.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYILX and RYDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYILX	RYDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.21%	-37.34%	-39.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-9.86%	+5.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	-16.50%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.44%	-22.12%	+6.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.90%	-37.34%	+9.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-76.68%	-0.58%	-76.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.14%	-4.33%	-53.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.61%	-0.16%

Volatility

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund (RYILX) is 1.77%, while Rydex Dow Jones Industrial Average Fund (RYDAX) has a volatility of 4.25%. This indicates that RYILX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RYDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RYILX	RYDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	4.25%	-2.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.22%	9.82%	-5.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.05%	12.49%	-7.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.56%	14.88%	-7.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.16%	17.64%	-9.48%

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RYILX has a 1.55% expense ratio, which is lower than RYDAX's 1.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

RYILX vs. RYDAX - Dividend Comparison

RYILX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RYDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
RYILX Rydex Inverse High Yield Strategy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.45%	7.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYILX and RYDAX in my portfolio?

RYILX and RYDAX 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, RYILX or RYDAX?

RYDAX has higher volatility (4.25%) compared to RYILX (1.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYILX dropped -77.21% vs RYDAX's -37.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs -0.21), 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.