VGENX vs. PAXDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGENX (Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares) and PAXDX (Pax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VGENX returned 22.01%/yr vs 3.71%/yr for PAXDX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGENX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for PAXDX.

Performance

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) and Pax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (PAXDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGENX achieves a 20.03% return, which is significantly higher than PAXDX's 5.11% return.

VGENX

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -3.39%
• YTD: 20.03%
• 6M: 18.09%
• 1Y: 32.90%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 22.01%
• 10Y*: 9.44%

PAXDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 5.11%
• 6M: 5.37%
• 1Y: 7.32%
• 3Y*: 8.76%
• 5Y*: 3.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGENX Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares	20.03%	20.67%	30.25%	8.78%	23.59%	27.71%	-30.85%	13.23%	-17.19%	3.22%
PAXDX Pax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund	5.11%	18.37%	-1.55%	9.33%	-13.45%	14.24%	14.25%	25.88%	-4.25%	19.24%

Correlation

The correlation between VGENX and PAXDX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between VGENX and PAXDX has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VGENX vs. PAXDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGENX

VGENX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VGENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VGENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VGENX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VGENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VGENX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

PAXDX

PAXDX Risk / Return Rank: 15
PAXDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
PAXDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
PAXDX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
PAXDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
PAXDX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) and Pax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (PAXDX). 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.

	VGENX	PAXDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	0.92	+1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	1.29	+2.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.19	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.82	1.65	+4.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.05	4.91	+15.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGENX Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is higher than the PAXDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGENX and PAXDX, 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

	VGENX	PAXDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	0.92	+1.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.18	0.29	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.52	-0.08

Drawdowns

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGENX drawdown since its inception was -65.37%, which is greater than PAXDX's maximum drawdown of -33.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGENX and PAXDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGENX	PAXDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.37%	-33.58%	-31.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.71%	-4.49%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.30%	-14.56%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-25.04%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.26%	-0.74%	-3.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.94%	-5.27%	-9.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	1.47%	+0.18%

Volatility

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to Pax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (PAXDX) at 0.00%. This indicates that VGENX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PAXDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGENX	PAXDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	0.00%	+4.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	4.62%	+5.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.14%	8.08%	+4.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.71%	13.19%	+5.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.20%	16.52%	+6.68%

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGENX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than PAXDX's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGENX vs. PAXDX - Dividend Comparison

VGENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.14%, more than PAXDX's 2.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAXDX Pax Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund	2.06%	2.17%	2.07%	2.43%	2.48%	58.94%	2.88%	4.69%	3.55%	2.13%	0.12%	0.00%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares	7.14%	4.71%	33.96%	6.83%	4.63%	3.63%	4.46%	3.30%	2.96%	2.96%	1.84%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGENX and PAXDX in my portfolio?

VGENX and PAXDX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGENX or PAXDX?

VGENX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to PAXDX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGENX dropped -65.37% vs PAXDX's -33.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 0.92), 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.