TOWTX vs. ALTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TOWTX (Towpath Technology Fund) and ALTEX (Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, TOWTX returned 9.99%/yr vs 5.82%/yr for ALTEX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TOWTX charges 1.10%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for ALTEX.

Performance

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Towpath Technology Fund (TOWTX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOWTX achieves a 12.62% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 66.80% return.

TOWTX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 9.00%
• YTD: 12.62%
• 6M: 13.62%
• 1Y: 23.12%
• 3Y*: 15.70%
• 5Y*: 9.99%
• 10Y*: —

ALTEX

• 1D: 6.08%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 66.80%
• 6M: 37.64%
• 1Y: 87.90%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 14.28%

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

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TOWTX Towpath Technology Fund	12.62%	9.55%	12.82%	29.78%	-15.96%	17.73%
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	66.80%	6.62%	-6.79%	-2.31%	-18.26%	-12.17%

Correlation

The correlation between TOWTX and ALTEX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2021	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between TOWTX and ALTEX has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TOWTX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOWTX

TOWTX Risk / Return Rank: 30
TOWTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
TOWTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
TOWTX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
TOWTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TOWTX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ALTEX

ALTEX Risk / Return Rank: 56
ALTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ALTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ALTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ALTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
ALTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Towpath Technology Fund (TOWTX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). 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.

	TOWTX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.44	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.66	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.40	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	3.37	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.75	8.88	-2.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOWTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the ALTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOWTX and ALTEX, 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

	TOWTX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	2.44	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.09	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.08	0.09	-0.01

Drawdowns

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOWTX drawdown since its inception was -88.96%, which is greater than ALTEX's maximum drawdown of -75.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOWTX and ALTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOWTX	ALTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.96%	-75.48%	-13.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.62%	-28.91%	+17.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-88.96%	-68.78%	-20.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.96%	-75.48%	-13.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-84.19%	0.00%	-84.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.19%	-37.26%	+12.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	10.75%	-7.20%

Volatility

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Towpath Technology Fund (TOWTX) is 4.20%, while Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a volatility of 12.96%. This indicates that TOWTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TOWTX	ALTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	12.96%	-8.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.28%	33.09%	-21.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.63%	39.96%	-25.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	146.43%	68.12%	+78.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	141.02%	51.36%	+89.66%

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOWTX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is lower than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOWTX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison

TOWTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, while ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.50%	3.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.12%	0.05%	0.25%
TOWTX Towpath Technology Fund	1.51%	1.70%	3.55%	0.42%	0.57%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOWTX and ALTEX in my portfolio?

TOWTX and ALTEX have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TOWTX or ALTEX?

ALTEX has higher volatility (12.96%) compared to TOWTX (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOWTX dropped -88.96% vs ALTEX's -75.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALTEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.64), 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.