VGENX vs. RMLPX

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

VGENX (Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares) and RMLPX (Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VGENX returned 23.09%/yr vs 26.83%/yr for RMLPX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGENX charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.25%/yr for RMLPX.

Performance

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGENX achieves a 20.72% return, which is significantly lower than RMLPX's 37.41% return.

VGENX

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 18.61%
• YTD: 20.72%
• 1Y: 29.10%
• 3Y*: 26.45%
• 5Y*: 23.09%
• 10Y*: 8.98%

RMLPX

• 1D: 2.82%
• 1M: 2.64%
• 6M: 33.52%
• YTD: 37.41%
• 1Y: 40.98%
• 3Y*: 30.13%
• 5Y*: 26.83%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VGENX Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares	20.72%	20.67%	30.25%	8.78%	23.59%	27.71%	-30.85%	13.23%	-17.19%
RMLPX Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund	37.41%	8.98%	30.03%	16.79%	35.03%	42.56%	-28.37%	15.33%	-15.93%

Correlation

The correlation between VGENX and RMLPX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2018	0.85

The correlation between VGENX and RMLPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGENX vs. RMLPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGENX

VGENX Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VGENX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VGENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VGENX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

RMLPX

RMLPX Risk / Return Rank: 87
RMLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
RMLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
RMLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RMLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RMLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. RMLPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) and Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund (RMLPX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VGENX	RMLPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.42	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.26	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.41	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	4.52	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	11.99	-0.72

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGENX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the RMLPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGENX and RMLPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGENX drawdown since its inception was -65.37%, roughly equal to the maximum RMLPX drawdown of -66.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGENX and RMLPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGENX	RMLPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.37%	-66.95%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.76%	-9.09%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.30%	-18.75%	+6.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-22.83%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.71%	-1.57%	-2.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.91%	-10.20%	-4.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.57%	3.42%	-0.85%

Volatility

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) is 4.87%, while Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund (RMLPX) has a volatility of 6.47%. This indicates that VGENX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RMLPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGENX	RMLPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.87%	6.47%	-1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.62%	13.87%	-3.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.75%	17.00%	-4.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.70%	21.38%	-2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.07%	27.97%	-4.90%

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGENX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than RMLPX's 1.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGENX vs. RMLPX - Dividend Comparison

VGENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, more than RMLPX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RMLPX Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund	4.74%	6.38%	7.63%	6.49%	7.08%	8.89%	13.48%	7.25%	5.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Opportunities Fund Investor Shares	7.10%	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 RMLPX in my portfolio?

VGENX and RMLPX have a correlation of 0.79, 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 RMLPX?

RMLPX has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to VGENX (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGENX dropped -65.37% vs RMLPX's -66.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RMLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.28), 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.