AASOX vs. ALAFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AASOX (Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio) and ALAFX (Alger Focus Equity A Fund) are both mutual funds - AASOX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger, while ALAFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, AASOX returned 9.48%/yr vs 22.22%/yr for ALAFX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio (AASOX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AASOX achieves a 14.06% return, which is significantly lower than ALAFX's 15.83% return. Over the past 10 years, AASOX has underperformed ALAFX with an annualized return of 9.48%, while ALAFX has yielded a comparatively higher 22.22% annualized return.

AASOX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 8.80%
• YTD: 14.06%
• 6M: 11.08%
• 1Y: 29.50%
• 3Y*: 12.45%
• 5Y*: -3.44%
• 10Y*: 9.48%

ALAFX

• 1D: -1.99%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 15.83%
• 6M: 13.66%
• 1Y: 45.39%
• 3Y*: 40.20%
• 5Y*: 19.22%
• 10Y*: 22.22%

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

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AASOX Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio	14.06%	5.89%	8.12%	16.49%	-38.39%	-5.07%	67.18%	29.36%	1.47%	28.73%
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	15.83%	39.65%	51.72%	44.15%	-35.95%	20.00%	45.73%	33.84%	1.33%	28.70%

Correlation

The correlation between AASOX and ALAFX 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	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.80

The correlation between AASOX and ALAFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AASOX vs. ALAFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AASOX

AASOX Risk / Return Rank: 24
AASOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
AASOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
AASOX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
AASOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
AASOX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

ALAFX

ALAFX Risk / Return Rank: 49
ALAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ALAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ALAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
ALAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ALAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio (AASOX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX). 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.

	AASOX	ALAFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	2.06	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.66	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.34	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	2.67	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.62	8.88	-3.26

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AASOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the ALAFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AASOX and ALAFX, 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

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AASOX drawdown since its inception was -74.54%, which is greater than ALAFX's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AASOX and ALAFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AASOX	ALAFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.54%	-43.65%	-30.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.34%	-17.58%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.82%	-26.96%	-5.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-60.50%	-43.65%	-16.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.50%	-43.65%	-16.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.15%	-1.99%	-33.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.85%	-7.67%	-22.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.54%	5.27%	+0.27%

Volatility

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio (AASOX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX) have volatilities of 8.70% and 9.14%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AASOX	ALAFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.70%	9.14%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.71%	17.62%	+1.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.42%	22.86%	+0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.47%	26.43%	+14.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.52%	24.13%	+9.39%

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AASOX and ALAFX have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

AASOX vs. ALAFX - Dividend Comparison

AASOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than ALAFX's 6.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AASOX Alger Small Cap Growth Portfolio	1.03%	1.17%	0.38%	0.00%	22.43%	49.73%	6.88%	5.59%	4.58%
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	6.83%	7.91%	0.00%	0.10%	0.06%	14.09%	6.28%	1.98%	5.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AASOX and ALAFX in my portfolio?

AASOX and ALAFX 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, AASOX or ALAFX?

ALAFX has higher volatility (9.14%) compared to AASOX (8.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AASOX dropped -74.54% vs ALAFX's -43.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.34), 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.