SOAEX vs. PRNEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SOAEX (Spirit of America Energy Fund) and PRNEX (T. Rowe Price New Era Fund) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SOAEX returned 19.61%/yr vs 8.96%/yr for PRNEX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SOAEX charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for PRNEX.

Performance

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Spirit of America Energy Fund (SOAEX) and T. Rowe Price New Era Fund (PRNEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOAEX achieves a 26.90% return, which is significantly higher than PRNEX's 23.27% return. Over the past 10 years, SOAEX has outperformed PRNEX with an annualized return of 19.61%, while PRNEX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.96% annualized return.

SOAEX

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: -2.36%
• YTD: 26.90%
• 6M: 22.69%
• 1Y: 31.91%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 18.76%
• 10Y*: 19.61%

PRNEX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 23.27%
• 6M: 22.45%
• 1Y: 41.40%
• 3Y*: 17.07%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: 8.96%

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

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOAEX Spirit of America Energy Fund	26.90%	6.05%	19.30%	13.10%	30.26%	34.19%	-34.52%	11.49%	148.45%	-3.97%
PRNEX T. Rowe Price New Era Fund	23.27%	18.85%	4.41%	1.02%	7.14%	25.35%	-2.63%	16.91%	-16.23%	10.57%

Correlation

The correlation between SOAEX and PRNEX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2014	0.79

The correlation between SOAEX and PRNEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SOAEX vs. PRNEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOAEX

SOAEX Risk / Return Rank: 58
SOAEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SOAEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SOAEX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SOAEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SOAEX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

PRNEX

PRNEX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PRNEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PRNEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
PRNEX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PRNEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PRNEX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Spirit of America Energy Fund (SOAEX) and T. Rowe Price New Era Fund (PRNEX). 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.

	SOAEX	PRNEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.97	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	3.98	-1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.52	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.19	8.70	-4.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.43	26.94	-14.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOAEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the PRNEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOAEX and PRNEX, 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

	SOAEX	PRNEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.97	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95	0.62	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20	0.44	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.38	-0.25

Drawdowns

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOAEX drawdown since its inception was -68.03%, roughly equal to the maximum PRNEX drawdown of -66.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOAEX and PRNEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOAEX	PRNEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.03%	-66.56%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.03%	-4.90%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-20.19%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.84%	-21.50%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-68.03%	-49.64%	-18.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.25%	-0.89%	-2.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.16%	-16.30%	-10.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	1.58%	+1.12%

Volatility

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Volatility Comparison

Spirit of America Energy Fund (SOAEX) has a higher volatility of 6.05% compared to T. Rowe Price New Era Fund (PRNEX) at 4.13%. This indicates that SOAEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PRNEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOAEX	PRNEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.05%	4.13%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	11.44%	+0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.75%	14.41%	+1.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.90%	18.67%	+1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	100.00%	20.61%	+79.39%

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOAEX has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than PRNEX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOAEX vs. PRNEX - Dividend Comparison

SOAEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.61%, more than PRNEX's 7.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRNEX T. Rowe Price New Era Fund	7.33%	9.04%	4.81%	11.46%	4.47%	2.07%	2.54%	2.18%	1.69%	1.89%	1.28%	2.68%
SOAEX Spirit of America Energy Fund	11.61%	13.91%	26.36%	24.88%	22.14%	23.25%	30.30%	20.73%	15.62%	17.90%	13.40%	14.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOAEX and PRNEX in my portfolio?

SOAEX and PRNEX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOAEX or PRNEX?

SOAEX has higher volatility (6.05%) compared to PRNEX (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOAEX dropped -68.03% vs PRNEX's -66.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRNEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.14), 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.