Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) belongs to the Mid Cap Value Equities category. Below you'll find alternative mutual funds from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with ARFFX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ARFFX
ARFFX charges 1.00% annually. There are 66 mutual funds in the Mid Cap Value Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Mid Cap Value Index Fund | 0.05% | — | Jul 2019 | ARFFX vs FIMVX | |
| Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.07% | 36.60B | Sep 2011 | ARFFX vs VMVAX | |
| Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Institut... | 0.08% | — | Nov 2010 | ARFFX vs VMFVX | |
| Victory Integrity Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund | 0.09% | — | Jul 2011 | ARFFX vs MYISX | |
| Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | 0.19% | — | Aug 2006 | ARFFX vs VMVIX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ARFFX
ARFFX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 75. There are 22 mutual funds in the Mid Cap Value Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 92.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Ceredex Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund | 92 | — | Nov 2001 | ARFFX vs SMVTX | |
| Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund | 88 | — | Mar 2002 | ARFFX vs HAMVX | |
| Columbia Select Mid Cap Value Fund | 88 | — | Nov 2001 | ARFFX vs NAMAX | |
| Delaware Opportunity Fund | 87 | — | Aug 1992 | ARFFX vs FIUSX | |
| PGIM Quant Solutions Mid-Cap Value Fund | 85 | — | Aug 1998 | ARFFX vs NCBVX |
Top Performing ARFFX Alternatives (YTD)
ARFFX is at 8.39% YTD. There are 98 mutual funds in the Mid Cap Value Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 25.14%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Ceredex Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund | 25.14% | — | Nov 2001 | ARFFX vs SMVTX | |
| Invesco V.I. American Value Fund | 24.46% | — | Jan 1997 | ARFFX vs UMCVX | |
| Invesco Value Opportunities Fund Class Y | 24.28% | — | Mar 2005 | ARFFX vs VVOIX | |
| Fidelity Value Strategies Fund | 24.18% | — | Dec 1983 | ARFFX vs FSLSX | |
| Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class I | 24.15% | — | Jul 1995 | ARFFX vs FASOX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ARFFX
ARFFX has 13.74% 1-year volatility. There are 44 mutual funds in the Mid Cap Value Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares | 11.64% | 36.60B | Sep 2011 | ARFFX vs VMVAX | |
| Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | 11.65% | — | Aug 2006 | ARFFX vs VMVIX | |
| Nuance Mid Cap Value Fund | 11.66% | — | Dec 2013 | ARFFX vs NMAVX | |
| American Century Mid Cap Value Fund | 11.98% | 5.65B | Mar 2004 | ARFFX vs ACMVX | |
| American Century Mid Cap Value Fund A Class | 12.00% | — | Mar 2004 | ARFFX vs ACLAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ARFFX
ARFFX has a 1-year max drawdown of -8.02%. There are 27 mutual funds in the Mid Cap Value Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM Quant Solutions Mid-Cap Value Fund | -6.31% | — | Aug 1998 | ARFFX vs NCBVX | |
| Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Total Market Equity Por... | -6.51% | — | Dec 2006 | ARFFX vs GTTMX | |
| Delaware Opportunity Fund | -6.75% | — | Aug 1992 | ARFFX vs FIUSX | |
| Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund | -6.84% | — | Mar 2002 | ARFFX vs HAMVX | |
| Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares | -6.95% | 36.60B | Sep 2011 | ARFFX vs VMVAX |
Other Mutual Funds from Ariel Investments
The 4 most viewed Ariel Investments mutual funds shown here include ARGFX, AINTX, CAAPX and span 3 categories.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariel Fund | Mid Cap Value Equities | 36 | 7.67% | — | Nov 1986 | ARFFX vs ARGFX | |
| Ariel International Fund | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 48 | 20.00% | — | Dec 2011 | ARFFX vs AINTX | |
| Ariel Appreciation Fund | Mid Cap Value Equities | 44 | 12.03% | — | Dec 1989 | ARFFX vs CAAPX | |
| Ariel Global Fund | Global Equities | 89 | 26.71% | — | Dec 2011 | ARFFX vs AGLOX |
Often Compared With ARFFX
Investors most often compare ARFFX with SPY, FMPOX, FMPAX. These 20 comparison targets span 2 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ARFFX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ARFFX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ARFFX with funds that move differently
Ariel Focus Fund alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ARFFX.
Explore ARFFX Diversifiers