RYTRX vs. RYSEX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

RYTRX (Royce Total Return Fund) and RYSEX (Royce Special Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds from Royce Investment Partners. Over the past 10 years, RYTRX returned 9.65%/yr vs 9.22%/yr for RYSEX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RYTRX charges 1.25%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for RYSEX.

Performance

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royce Total Return Fund (RYTRX) and Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RYTRX achieves a 9.60% return, which is significantly lower than RYSEX's 20.53% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RYTRX having a 9.65% annualized return and RYSEX not far behind at 9.22%.

RYTRX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 9.60%
• 6M: 8.19%
• 1Y: 17.04%
• 3Y*: 13.51%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

RYSEX

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 20.53%
• 6M: 18.75%
• 1Y: 33.55%
• 3Y*: 11.35%
• 5Y*: 7.70%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RYTRX Royce Total Return Fund	9.60%	2.57%	9.96%	24.39%	-13.59%	25.58%	3.84%	23.53%	-12.68%	13.27%
RYSEX Royce Special Equity Fund	20.53%	3.66%	2.93%	12.96%	-6.60%	22.24%	7.43%	12.73%	-9.96%	7.13%

Correlation

The correlation between RYTRX and RYSEX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1999	0.89

The correlation between RYTRX and RYSEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RYTRX vs. RYSEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYTRX

RYTRX Risk / Return Rank: 19
RYTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
RYTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
RYTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
RYTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
RYTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

RYSEX

RYSEX Risk / Return Rank: 80
RYSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
RYSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
RYSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
RYSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
RYSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royce Total Return Fund (RYTRX) and Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX). 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.

	RYTRX	RYSEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	2.37	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	3.62	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.41	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	4.19	-2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.78	13.25	-9.46

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYTRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the RYSEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYTRX and RYSEX, 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

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYTRX drawdown since its inception was -54.24%, which is greater than RYSEX's maximum drawdown of -43.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYTRX and RYSEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYTRX	RYSEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.24%	-43.25%	-10.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-8.20%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.68%	-23.03%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.31%	-23.03%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.82%	-32.13%	-8.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-1.74%	+1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.28%	-6.34%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.77%	2.59%	+2.18%

Volatility

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Royce Total Return Fund (RYTRX) is 3.51%, while Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that RYTRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RYSEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RYTRX	RYSEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	3.93%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.15%	9.23%	+1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.77%	14.57%	+2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.26%	16.38%	+3.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.14%	17.40%	+3.74%

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RYTRX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than RYSEX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

RYTRX vs. RYSEX - Dividend Comparison

RYTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.80%, more than RYSEX's 10.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RYSEX Royce Special Equity Fund	10.25%	12.36%	16.35%	5.32%	12.34%	16.53%	3.70%	11.56%	13.11%	8.24%	7.72%	11.68%
RYTRX Royce Total Return Fund	11.80%	12.72%	7.73%	9.77%	15.94%	32.86%	20.91%	9.54%	23.54%	13.86%	9.56%	14.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYTRX and RYSEX in my portfolio?

RYTRX and RYSEX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RYTRX or RYSEX?

RYSEX has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to RYTRX (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYTRX dropped -54.24% vs RYSEX's -43.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYSEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.08), 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.