VTCAX vs. ALTEX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX).
VTCAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Mar 11, 2005. ALTEX is managed by Firsthand Funds. It was launched on Oct 28, 2007.
Performance
VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison
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VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares | -10.02% | 26.27% | 33.10% | 44.73% | -38.78% | 14.09% | 28.95% | 28.03% | -16.51% | -5.57% |
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | 9.56% | 6.62% | -6.79% | -2.31% | -18.26% | -5.09% | 83.88% | 55.04% | -18.56% | 27.35% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTCAX achieves a -10.02% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 9.56% return. Over the past 10 years, VTCAX has underperformed ALTEX with an annualized return of 8.09%, while ALTEX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.92% annualized return.
VTCAX
- 1D
- 0.56%
- 1M
- -9.34%
- YTD
- -10.02%
- 6M
- -6.89%
- 1Y
- 18.31%
- 3Y*
- 22.92%
- 5Y*
- 7.15%
- 10Y*
- 8.09%
ALTEX
- 1D
- -4.06%
- 1M
- -10.18%
- YTD
- 9.56%
- 6M
- -9.08%
- 1Y
- 41.48%
- 3Y*
- -1.40%
- 5Y*
- -4.12%
- 10Y*
- 8.92%
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VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTCAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VTCAX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank
VTCAX
ALTEX
VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) 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.
| VTCAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.94 | 1.10 | -0.17 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.48 | 1.49 | -0.01 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.23 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.11 | 1.31 | -0.20 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.16 | 3.48 | +0.67 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VTCAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.94 | 1.10 | -0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 | -0.06 | +0.40 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 | 0.18 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.41 | 0.03 | +0.37 |
Correlation
The correlation between VTCAX and ALTEX is 0.59, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison
VTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, while ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.09% | 0.95% | 1.06% | 1.04% | 0.88% | 1.20% | 0.73% | 0.89% | 2.77% | 3.84% | 2.68% | 3.55% |
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% |
Drawdowns
VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTCAX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, smaller than the maximum ALTEX drawdown of -75.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTCAX and ALTEX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTCAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.11% | -75.48% | +18.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.56% | -28.91% | +15.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.58% | -75.48% | +28.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.58% | -75.48% | +28.90% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.08% | -27.66% | +14.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.96% | -37.55% | +25.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.61% | 10.86% | -7.25% |
Volatility
VTCAX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) is 5.02%, while Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a volatility of 11.76%. This indicates that VTCAX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VTCAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.02% | 11.76% | -6.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.16% | 32.97% | -21.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.09% | 38.72% | -18.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.23% | 67.75% | -46.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.95% | 51.07% | -30.12% |