ADGAX vs. AEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ADGAX (AB Core Opportunities Fund) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by AllianceBernstein, while AEF (Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ADGAX returned 13.41%/yr vs 13.13%/yr for AEF. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ADGAX vs. AEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Core Opportunities Fund (ADGAX) and Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. (AEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADGAX achieves a 6.29% return, which is significantly lower than AEF's 44.40% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ADGAX having a 13.41% annualized return and AEF not far behind at 13.13%.

ADGAX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: 6.29%
• 6M: 5.91%
• 1Y: 21.78%
• 3Y*: 19.84%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: 13.41%

AEF

• 1D: -2.38%
• 1M: 6.04%
• YTD: 44.40%
• 6M: 52.45%
• 1Y: 100.60%
• 3Y*: 34.80%
• 5Y*: 10.32%
• 10Y*: 13.13%

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

ADGAX vs. AEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADGAX AB Core Opportunities Fund	6.29%	17.36%	22.49%	20.93%	-15.73%	24.34%	12.97%	26.94%	-2.89%	22.46%
AEF Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc.	44.40%	50.22%	9.43%	7.13%	-29.63%	3.31%	11.62%	22.83%	-16.06%	57.92%

Correlation

The correlation between ADGAX and AEF is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.42

The correlation between ADGAX and AEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (all time) to 0.58 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ADGAX vs. AEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADGAX

ADGAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
ADGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
ADGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
ADGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ADGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
ADGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

AEF

AEF Risk / Return Rank: 96
AEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
AEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
AEF Omega Ratio Rank: 97
AEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AEF Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

ADGAX vs. AEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Core Opportunities Fund (ADGAX) and Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. (AEF). 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.

	ADGAX	AEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	4.13	-2.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	4.93	-2.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.68	-0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	5.07	-3.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.50	20.05	-12.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ADGAX vs. AEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is lower than the AEF Sharpe Ratio of 4.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADGAX and AEF, 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

	ADGAX	AEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	4.13	-2.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.46	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.61	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.40	+0.11

Drawdowns

ADGAX vs. AEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADGAX drawdown since its inception was -53.65%, smaller than the maximum AEF drawdown of -63.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADGAX and AEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADGAX	AEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.65%	-63.87%	+10.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-19.96%	+8.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.08%	-19.96%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.23%	-47.20%	+22.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.10%	-47.20%	+16.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.38%	+2.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.80%	-24.05%	+16.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	5.04%	-2.04%

Volatility

ADGAX vs. AEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Core Opportunities Fund (ADGAX) is 2.80%, while Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. (AEF) has a volatility of 9.07%. This indicates that ADGAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADGAX	AEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	9.07%	-6.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.55%	21.29%	-11.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.34%	24.49%	-12.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.14%	22.38%	-4.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.70%	21.68%	-3.98%

Dividends

ADGAX vs. AEF - Dividend Comparison

ADGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.72%, more than AEF's 7.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADGAX AB Core Opportunities Fund	14.72%	15.65%	10.29%	4.69%	10.73%	15.80%	4.24%	5.63%	17.66%	11.05%	4.72%	7.20%
AEF Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc.	7.22%	9.29%	7.51%	7.63%	8.54%	6.73%	3.37%	2.23%	20.97%	5.19%	7.05%	12.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADGAX and AEF in my portfolio?

ADGAX and AEF have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADGAX or AEF?

AEF has higher volatility (9.07%) compared to ADGAX (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADGAX dropped -53.65% vs AEF's -63.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 1.83), 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.