AAGOX vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AAGOX (Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio Fund) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both funds - AAGOX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, AAGOX returned 20.41%/yr vs 37.85%/yr for SMH. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AAGOX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AAGOX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio Fund (AAGOX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAGOX achieves a 24.36% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.73% return. Over the past 10 years, AAGOX has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 20.41%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.85% annualized return.

AAGOX

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 6.76%
• YTD: 24.36%
• 6M: 21.81%
• 1Y: 50.68%
• 3Y*: 35.40%
• 5Y*: 13.73%
• 10Y*: 20.41%

SMH

• 1D: -7.01%
• 1M: 7.93%
• YTD: 72.73%
• 6M: 71.29%
• 1Y: 138.23%
• 3Y*: 62.28%
• 5Y*: 38.18%
• 10Y*: 37.85%

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

AAGOX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAGOX Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio Fund	24.36%	29.82%	42.89%	32.67%	-38.76%	12.63%	67.21%	27.43%	2.36%	28.61%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	72.73%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between AAGOX and SMH is 0.71, 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	0.71
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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2000	0.77

The correlation between AAGOX and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.83 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AAGOX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAGOX

AAGOX Risk / Return Rank: 51
AAGOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
AAGOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
AAGOX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
AAGOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
AAGOX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

AAGOX vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio Fund (AAGOX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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.

	AAGOX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	3.99	-1.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	4.05	-1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.58	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	9.31	-6.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.94	33.88	-24.94

AAGOX vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAGOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAGOX and SMH, 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

AAGOX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAGOX drawdown since its inception was -60.22%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAGOX and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAGOX	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.22%	-84.96%	+24.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.11%	-14.93%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.34%	-35.74%	+8.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.07%	-45.30%	+1.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.07%	-45.30%	+1.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.48%	-7.01%	+5.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.69%	-41.01%	+25.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.84%	4.10%	+1.74%

Volatility

AAGOX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio Fund (AAGOX) is 10.64%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 19.08%. This indicates that AAGOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAGOX	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.64%	19.08%	-8.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.84%	29.18%	-9.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.43%	34.87%	-9.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.42%	35.83%	-9.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.88%	32.97%	-8.09%

AAGOX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAGOX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAGOX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AAGOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.74%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAGOX Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio Fund	9.74%	12.11%	0.00%	0.00%	5.91%	28.74%	14.75%	1.88%	22.68%	9.81%	0.00%	12.42%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAGOX and SMH in my portfolio?

AAGOX and SMH have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAGOX or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (19.08%) compared to AAGOX (10.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAGOX dropped -60.22% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 2.06), 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.