SHPAX vs. SHSSX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SHPAX (Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Fund) and SHSSX (Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SHPAX returned 6.14%/yr vs 9.56%/yr for SHSSX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SHPAX charges 2.90%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for SHSSX.

Performance

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Fund (SHPAX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHPAX achieves a -2.63% return, which is significantly higher than SHSSX's -3.76% return. Over the past 10 years, SHPAX has underperformed SHSSX with an annualized return of 6.14%, while SHSSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.56% annualized return.

SHPAX

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: -2.63%
• 6M: -2.69%
• 1Y: 13.38%
• 3Y*: 6.68%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 6.14%

SHSSX

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: -3.76%
• 6M: -3.73%
• 1Y: 15.12%
• 3Y*: 6.58%
• 5Y*: 4.40%
• 10Y*: 9.56%

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

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SHPAX Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Fund	-2.63%	17.43%	0.26%	-0.36%	1.93%	16.71%	3.52%	27.67%	-5.30%	11.78%
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	-3.76%	16.13%	4.00%	3.86%	-5.72%	12.17%	19.54%	25.63%	8.24%	25.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SHPAX and SHSSX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.88

The correlation between SHPAX and SHSSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SHPAX vs. SHSSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHPAX

SHPAX Risk / Return Rank: 13
SHPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
SHPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
SHPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
SHPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
SHPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

SHSSX

SHSSX Risk / Return Rank: 16
SHSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
SHSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
SHSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
SHSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
SHSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Fund (SHPAX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX). 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.

	SHPAX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.14	-0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	1.74	-0.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.20	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	1.59	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.66	4.03	-0.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHPAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is comparable to the SHSSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHPAX and SHSSX, 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

	SHPAX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	1.14	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.31	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.58	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.69	-0.39

Drawdowns

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHPAX drawdown since its inception was -69.50%, which is greater than SHSSX's maximum drawdown of -35.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHPAX and SHSSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHPAX	SHSSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.50%	-35.40%	-34.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.45%	-9.83%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.32%	-15.95%	-0.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.32%	-17.90%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.05%	-28.34%	+0.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.40%	-6.54%	-1.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.93%	-5.98%	-21.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	3.88%	-0.39%

Volatility

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Fund (SHPAX) is 3.62%, while Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) has a volatility of 3.82%. This indicates that SHPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SHSSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHPAX	SHSSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	3.82%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.04%	10.28%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.13%	13.68%	+0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.27%	14.35%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.58%	16.53%	+0.05%

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHPAX has a 2.90% expense ratio, which is higher than SHSSX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHPAX vs. SHSSX - Dividend Comparison

SHPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, less than SHSSX's 10.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHPAX Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Fund	3.76%	3.66%	1.35%	5.38%	6.34%	3.76%	13.82%	13.24%	22.00%	17.98%	12.52%	10.70%
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	10.29%	9.90%	8.68%	3.82%	7.20%	8.96%	4.18%	3.87%	8.44%	3.59%	2.33%	12.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHPAX and SHSSX in my portfolio?

SHPAX and SHSSX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHPAX or SHSSX?

SHSSX has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to SHPAX (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHPAX dropped -69.50% vs SHSSX's -35.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHSSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.95), 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.