UPUPX vs. ALTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UPUPX (Upright Growth Fund) and ALTEX (Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, UPUPX returned 8.11%/yr vs 14.28%/yr for ALTEX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UPUPX charges 2.09%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for ALTEX.

Performance

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Upright Growth Fund (UPUPX) 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, UPUPX achieves a 61.45% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 66.80% return. Over the past 10 years, UPUPX has underperformed ALTEX with an annualized return of 8.11%, while ALTEX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.28% annualized return.

UPUPX

• 1D: 4.14%
• 1M: 32.17%
• YTD: 61.45%
• 6M: 63.25%
• 1Y: 99.34%
• 3Y*: 36.84%
• 5Y*: 11.94%
• 10Y*: 8.11%

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)

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UPUPX Upright Growth Fund	61.45%	20.83%	30.23%	8.10%	-45.66%	57.76%	108.70%	7.48%	-49.71%	-14.17%
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	66.80%	6.62%	-6.79%	-2.31%	-18.26%	-5.09%	83.88%	55.04%	-18.56%	27.35%

Correlation

The correlation between UPUPX and ALTEX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2007	0.65

The correlation between UPUPX and ALTEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UPUPX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPUPX

UPUPX Risk / Return Rank: 94
UPUPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
UPUPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
UPUPX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
UPUPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
UPUPX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Upright Growth Fund (UPUPX) 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.

	UPUPX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.77	2.44	+1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.44	2.66	+1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.40	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.49	3.37	+5.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.68	8.88	+18.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPUPX Sharpe Ratio is 3.77, which is higher than the ALTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPUPX 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

	UPUPX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.77	2.44	+1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.09	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.28	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.09	+0.07

Drawdowns

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPUPX drawdown since its inception was -78.77%, roughly equal to the maximum ALTEX drawdown of -75.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPUPX and ALTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPUPX	ALTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.77%	-75.48%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-28.91%	+16.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.68%	-68.78%	+35.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.24%	-75.48%	+26.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.55%	-75.48%	-0.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.10%	-37.26%	+5.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.66%	10.75%	-7.09%

Volatility

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison

Upright Growth Fund (UPUPX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) have volatilities of 12.98% and 12.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPUPX	ALTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.98%	12.96%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.21%	33.09%	-11.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.94%	39.96%	-13.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.15%	68.12%	-36.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.96%	51.36%	-17.40%

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPUPX has a 2.09% expense ratio, which is higher than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPUPX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison

UPUPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.23%, while ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
UPUPX Upright Growth Fund	5.23%	8.45%	0.00%	2.12%	1.33%	3.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.53%	21.87%	5.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPUPX and ALTEX in my portfolio?

UPUPX and ALTEX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPUPX or ALTEX?

UPUPX has higher volatility (12.98%) compared to ALTEX (12.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPUPX dropped -78.77% vs ALTEX's -75.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UPUPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.77 vs 2.44), 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.