SCAUX vs. NIE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SCAUX (Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund) and NIE (Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund) are both Derivative Income funds. Over the past 10 years, SCAUX returned 7.99%/yr vs 14.21%/yr for NIE. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCAUX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for NIE.

Performance

SCAUX vs. NIE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund (SCAUX) and Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NIE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCAUX achieves a 6.50% return, which is significantly lower than NIE's 9.78% return. Over the past 10 years, SCAUX has underperformed NIE with an annualized return of 7.99%, while NIE has yielded a comparatively higher 14.21% annualized return.

SCAUX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 6.50%
• 6M: 5.89%
• 1Y: 19.16%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 10.05%
• 10Y*: 7.99%

NIE

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 1.19%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 6M: 10.01%
• 1Y: 25.95%
• 3Y*: 19.51%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 14.21%

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

SCAUX vs. NIE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCAUX Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund	6.50%	16.51%	17.88%	17.29%	-13.43%	22.41%	-3.24%	12.27%	-9.31%	15.85%
NIE Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund	9.78%	12.15%	28.64%	26.71%	-26.73%	18.89%	33.78%	31.09%	-5.69%	23.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SCAUX and NIE is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2007	0.71

The correlation between SCAUX and NIE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCAUX vs. NIE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCAUX

SCAUX Risk / Return Rank: 63
SCAUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SCAUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SCAUX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SCAUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCAUX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

NIE

NIE Risk / Return Rank: 62
NIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
NIE Omega Ratio Rank: 59
NIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
NIE 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.

SCAUX vs. NIE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund (SCAUX) and Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NIE). 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.

	SCAUX	NIE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.15	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	3.00	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.39	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	2.90	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.96	11.93	+2.03

SCAUX vs. NIE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCAUX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the NIE Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCAUX and NIE, 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

SCAUX vs. NIE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCAUX drawdown since its inception was -54.56%, smaller than the maximum NIE drawdown of -57.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCAUX and NIE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCAUX	NIE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.56%	-57.90%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-8.99%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.51%	-20.79%	+5.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.92%	-31.04%	+11.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.81%	-38.99%	+1.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-1.16%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-7.99%	-1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.44%	2.18%	-0.74%

Volatility

SCAUX vs. NIE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund (SCAUX) is 3.67%, while Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NIE) has a volatility of 5.00%. This indicates that SCAUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NIE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCAUX	NIE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	5.00%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.83%	9.92%	-2.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.75%	12.18%	-2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.11%	17.66%	-4.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.37%	19.80%	-4.43%

SCAUX vs. NIE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCAUX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than NIE's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCAUX vs. NIE - Dividend Comparison

SCAUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.06%, less than NIE's 9.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NIE Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund	9.94%	10.14%	8.11%	9.56%	21.81%	10.86%	5.37%	6.71%	8.20%	7.19%	8.25%	8.46%
SCAUX Invesco Income Advantage U.S. Fund	6.06%	5.81%	6.34%	6.59%	6.66%	12.79%	1.57%	1.39%	3.17%	2.25%	2.69%	3.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCAUX and NIE in my portfolio?

SCAUX and NIE have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCAUX or NIE?

NIE has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to SCAUX (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCAUX dropped -54.56% vs NIE's -57.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NIE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.08), 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.