SAOAX vs. NELIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAOAX (Guggenheim Alpha Opportunity Fund) and NELIX (Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund) are both Long-Short funds. Over the past 10 years, SAOAX returned 3.89%/yr vs 10.73%/yr for NELIX. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SAOAX charges 1.76%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for NELIX.

Performance

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Guggenheim Alpha Opportunity Fund (SAOAX) and Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (NELIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAOAX achieves a 18.07% return, which is significantly higher than NELIX's 8.22% return. Over the past 10 years, SAOAX has underperformed NELIX with an annualized return of 3.89%, while NELIX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.73% annualized return.

SAOAX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 4.52%
• YTD: 18.07%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 18.29%
• 3Y*: 10.13%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 3.89%

NELIX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.07%
• YTD: 8.22%
• 6M: 8.01%
• 1Y: 19.60%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

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

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAOAX Guggenheim Alpha Opportunity Fund	18.07%	-2.00%	10.49%	8.81%	-8.66%	14.38%	0.17%	-2.26%	-11.25%	7.48%
NELIX Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund	8.22%	11.31%	20.55%	24.09%	-14.94%	32.92%	-0.79%	6.35%	-2.36%	19.32%

Correlation

The correlation between SAOAX and NELIX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2013	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between SAOAX and NELIX has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SAOAX vs. NELIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAOAX

SAOAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
SAOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SAOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SAOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SAOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SAOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

NELIX

NELIX Risk / Return Rank: 57
NELIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
NELIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
NELIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
NELIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
NELIX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guggenheim Alpha Opportunity Fund (SAOAX) and Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (NELIX). 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.

	SAOAX	NELIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.12	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.99	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.39	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	3.19	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.10	12.84	-2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAOAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the NELIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAOAX and NELIX, 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

	SAOAX	NELIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	2.12	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.87	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.79	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.74	-0.43

Drawdowns

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAOAX drawdown since its inception was -52.28%, which is greater than NELIX's maximum drawdown of -28.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAOAX and NELIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAOAX	NELIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.28%	-28.72%	-23.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.45%	-6.31%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.90%	-15.50%	-20.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.90%	-19.30%	-16.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.90%	-28.72%	-7.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.11%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.70%	-4.70%	-4.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	1.56%	+0.26%

Volatility

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Volatility Comparison

Guggenheim Alpha Opportunity Fund (SAOAX) has a higher volatility of 2.75% compared to Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (NELIX) at 2.47%. This indicates that SAOAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NELIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAOAX	NELIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.75%	2.47%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.30%	7.31%	-1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.71%	9.49%	-0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.70%	12.66%	+16.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.16%	13.68%	+7.48%

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAOAX has a 1.76% expense ratio, which is higher than NELIX's 1.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAOAX vs. NELIX - Dividend Comparison

SAOAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than NELIX's 3.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NELIX Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund	3.52%	3.81%	4.78%	4.20%	6.84%	2.44%	0.00%	0.00%	1.35%	1.58%	0.00%
SAOAX Guggenheim Alpha Opportunity Fund	0.61%	0.71%	1.06%	0.62%	0.72%	0.82%	1.22%	0.92%	1.17%	7.07%	0.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAOAX and NELIX in my portfolio?

SAOAX and NELIX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAOAX or NELIX?

SAOAX has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to NELIX (2.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAOAX dropped -52.28% vs NELIX's -28.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NELIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 2.12), 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.