WSTAX vs. ICTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WSTAX (Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A) and ICTEX (ICON Health and Information Technology Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, WSTAX returned 24.74%/yr vs 17.43%/yr for ICTEX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSTAX charges 1.17%/yr vs 1.26%/yr for ICTEX.

Performance

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) and ICON Health and Information Technology Fund (ICTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WSTAX achieves a 41.80% return, which is significantly higher than ICTEX's 32.34% return. Over the past 10 years, WSTAX has outperformed ICTEX with an annualized return of 24.74%, while ICTEX has yielded a comparatively lower 17.43% annualized return.

WSTAX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 15.75%
• YTD: 41.80%
• 6M: 42.57%
• 1Y: 76.95%
• 3Y*: 52.21%
• 5Y*: 25.51%
• 10Y*: 24.74%

ICTEX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 11.06%
• YTD: 32.34%
• 6M: 30.72%
• 1Y: 56.75%
• 3Y*: 26.92%
• 5Y*: 12.95%
• 10Y*: 17.43%

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

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	41.80%	33.91%	59.64%	40.44%	-32.50%	14.19%	36.12%	50.35%	-5.23%	32.77%
ICTEX ICON Health and Information Technology Fund	32.34%	17.55%	20.45%	13.59%	-19.38%	17.62%	33.94%	43.72%	-11.19%	32.52%

Correlation

The correlation between WSTAX and ICTEX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 2000	0.85

The correlation between WSTAX and ICTEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WSTAX vs. ICTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSTAX

WSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 87
WSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
WSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
WSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
WSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
WSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

ICTEX

ICTEX Risk / Return Rank: 86
ICTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ICTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ICTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ICTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ICTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) and ICON Health and Information Technology Fund (ICTEX). 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.

	WSTAX	ICTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.34	3.09	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	3.96	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.51	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.75	4.36	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.39	17.49	-0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSTAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.34, which is comparable to the ICTEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSTAX and ICTEX, 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

	WSTAX	ICTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.34	3.09	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.67	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.82	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.39	+0.13

Drawdowns

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSTAX drawdown since its inception was -55.39%, smaller than the maximum ICTEX drawdown of -64.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSTAX and ICTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSTAX	ICTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.39%	-64.92%	+9.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.73%	-13.58%	-3.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.35%	-25.38%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.39%	-26.67%	-28.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.39%	-35.08%	-20.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.95%	-18.00%	+3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.56%	3.38%	+1.18%

Volatility

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Volatility Comparison

Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) has a higher volatility of 7.17% compared to ICON Health and Information Technology Fund (ICTEX) at 4.86%. This indicates that WSTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WSTAX	ICTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.17%	4.86%	+2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.78%	15.01%	+3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.79%	19.20%	+4.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.95%	19.55%	+17.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.71%	21.31%	+9.40%

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSTAX has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is lower than ICTEX's 1.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSTAX vs. ICTEX - Dividend Comparison

WSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.92%, less than ICTEX's 15.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICTEX ICON Health and Information Technology Fund	15.68%	20.75%	11.36%	12.46%	18.84%	16.62%	3.45%	4.32%	16.94%	24.94%	21.88%	0.00%
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	12.92%	18.32%	36.08%	11.62%	33.72%	42.99%	8.89%	11.48%	13.99%	6.95%	0.00%	2.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSTAX and ICTEX in my portfolio?

WSTAX and ICTEX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WSTAX or ICTEX?

WSTAX has higher volatility (7.17%) compared to ICTEX (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSTAX dropped -55.39% vs ICTEX's -64.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.34 vs 3.09), 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.