STEW vs. AVEFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STEW (SRH Total Return Fund Inc.) and AVEFX (Ave Maria Bond Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 3 years, STEW returned 15.15%/yr vs 5.73%/yr for AVEFX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. STEW charges 2.28%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for AVEFX.

Performance

STEW vs. AVEFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SRH Total Return Fund Inc. (STEW) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STEW achieves a -4.92% return, which is significantly lower than AVEFX's 1.45% return.

STEW

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -2.05%
• YTD: -4.92%
• 6M: -2.72%
• 1Y: 2.27%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVEFX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 3.86%

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

STEW vs. AVEFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
STEW SRH Total Return Fund Inc.	-4.92%	20.28%	19.90%	13.54%	-11.18%
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	1.45%	5.63%	5.71%	5.16%	-1.05%

Correlation

The correlation between STEW and AVEFX is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2022	0.55

The correlation between STEW and AVEFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.55 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

STEW vs. AVEFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

STEW

STEW Risk / Return Rank: 4
STEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
STEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
STEW Omega Ratio Rank: 4
STEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
STEW Martin Ratio Rank: 4

AVEFX

AVEFX Risk / Return Rank: 29
AVEFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AVEFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AVEFX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
AVEFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
AVEFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

STEW vs. AVEFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SRH Total Return Fund Inc. (STEW) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). 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.

	STEW	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.21	1.64	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.37	2.50	-2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.29	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.24	1.87	-1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	5.07	-4.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STEW vs. AVEFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STEW Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is lower than the AVEFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STEW and AVEFX, 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

	STEW	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21	1.64	-1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	1.10	-0.58

Drawdowns

STEW vs. AVEFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STEW drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, which is greater than AVEFX's maximum drawdown of -10.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STEW and AVEFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STEW	AVEFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-10.24%	-15.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.68%	-2.58%	-7.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.30%	-2.82%	-8.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-10.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.15%	-2.11%	-3.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.34%	-0.97%	-4.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	0.95%	+2.16%

Volatility

STEW vs. AVEFX - Volatility Comparison

SRH Total Return Fund Inc. (STEW) has a higher volatility of 2.42% compared to Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) at 0.83%. This indicates that STEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STEW	AVEFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	0.83%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.27%	2.26%	+6.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.08%	2.93%	+8.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.47%	4.13%	+11.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.47%	4.02%	+11.45%

STEW vs. AVEFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STEW has a 2.28% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEFX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

STEW vs. AVEFX - Dividend Comparison

STEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, more than AVEFX's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	3.47%	3.51%	2.94%	2.47%	3.59%	2.32%	2.43%	3.31%	3.21%	2.04%	2.94%	1.89%
STEW SRH Total Return Fund Inc.	4.23%	3.56%	3.43%	3.60%	2.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STEW and AVEFX in my portfolio?

STEW and AVEFX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STEW or AVEFX?

STEW has higher volatility (2.42%) compared to AVEFX (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STEW dropped -25.25% vs AVEFX's -10.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 0.21), 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.