ACAZX vs. ALSCX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ACAZX (Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Class Z) and ALSCX (Alger Small Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - ACAZX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger, while ALSCX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, ACAZX returned 21.42%/yr vs 10.38%/yr for ALSCX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACAZX charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.96%/yr for ALSCX.

Performance

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Class Z (ACAZX) and Alger Small Cap Growth Fund (ALSCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACAZX achieves a 14.21% return, which is significantly higher than ALSCX's 11.71% return. Over the past 10 years, ACAZX has outperformed ALSCX with an annualized return of 21.42%, while ALSCX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.38% annualized return.

ACAZX

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 7.44%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 12.80%
• 1Y: 40.17%
• 3Y*: 43.03%
• 5Y*: 20.92%
• 10Y*: 21.42%

ALSCX

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.07%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 7.88%
• 1Y: 31.22%
• 3Y*: 12.83%
• 5Y*: -1.53%
• 10Y*: 10.38%

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

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACAZX Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Class Z	14.21%	31.33%	69.38%	43.53%	-36.63%	18.48%	42.23%	33.63%	-0.61%	31.78%
ALSCX Alger Small Cap Growth Fund	11.71%	7.80%	9.47%	16.25%	-37.61%	-3.35%	63.82%	28.12%	1.20%	25.24%

Correlation

The correlation between ACAZX and ALSCX 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	0.69
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 Dec 30, 2010	0.82

The correlation between ACAZX and ALSCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (3 years) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ACAZX vs. ALSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACAZX

ACAZX Risk / Return Rank: 38
ACAZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
ACAZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
ACAZX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ACAZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ACAZX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

ALSCX

ALSCX Risk / Return Rank: 23
ALSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
ALSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
ALSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
ALSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
ALSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Class Z (ACAZX) and Alger Small Cap Growth Fund (ALSCX). 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.

	ACAZX	ALSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.38	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	1.97	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.23	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	1.71	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.11	5.82	+1.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACAZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is higher than the ALSCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACAZX and ALSCX, 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

	ACAZX	ALSCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	1.38	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	-0.06	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.41	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.13	+0.65

Drawdowns

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACAZX drawdown since its inception was -47.92%, smaller than the maximum ALSCX drawdown of -76.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACAZX and ALSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACAZX	ALSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.92%	-76.39%	+28.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.97%	-19.23%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.72%	-34.29%	+6.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.92%	-50.13%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.92%	-53.16%	+5.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.69%	-21.41%	+19.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.34%	-35.28%	+26.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.85%	5.63%	+0.22%

Volatility

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Class Z (ACAZX) is 5.24%, while Alger Small Cap Growth Fund (ALSCX) has a volatility of 7.88%. This indicates that ACAZX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACAZX	ALSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.24%	7.88%	-2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.85%	18.77%	-2.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.01%	23.86%	-2.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.98%	27.95%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	25.70%	-0.26%

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACAZX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than ALSCX's 1.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACAZX vs. ALSCX - Dividend Comparison

ACAZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.73%, while ALSCX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACAZX Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Class Z	7.73%	8.83%	23.61%	6.65%	4.13%	22.24%	14.91%	7.87%	11.23%	6.60%	0.82%	8.15%
ALSCX Alger Small Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.11%	0.67%	8.26%	17.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACAZX and ALSCX in my portfolio?

ACAZX and ALSCX 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, ACAZX or ALSCX?

ALSCX has higher volatility (7.88%) compared to ACAZX (5.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACAZX dropped -47.92% vs ALSCX's -76.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACAZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.38), 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.