AFDVX vs. RYSEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFDVX (Applied Finance Explorer Investor) and RYSEX (Royce Special Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, AFDVX returned 13.27%/yr vs 8.89%/yr for RYSEX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFDVX charges 1.08%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for RYSEX.

Performance

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Finance Explorer Investor (AFDVX) and Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFDVX achieves a 11.20% return, which is significantly lower than RYSEX's 19.46% return. Over the past 10 years, AFDVX has outperformed RYSEX with an annualized return of 13.27%, while RYSEX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.89% annualized return.

AFDVX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 10.44%
• 1Y: 25.19%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 9.21%
• 10Y*: 13.27%

RYSEX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 9.11%
• YTD: 19.46%
• 6M: 19.97%
• 1Y: 34.54%
• 3Y*: 11.47%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 10Y*: 8.89%

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

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFDVX Applied Finance Explorer Investor	11.20%	8.96%	9.75%	22.19%	-13.84%	43.58%	19.12%	24.98%	-13.59%	17.32%
RYSEX Royce Special Equity Fund	19.46%	3.66%	2.93%	12.96%	-6.60%	22.24%	7.43%	12.73%	-9.96%	7.13%

Correlation

The correlation between AFDVX and RYSEX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.88

The correlation between AFDVX and RYSEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AFDVX vs. RYSEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFDVX

AFDVX Risk / Return Rank: 45
AFDVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
AFDVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AFDVX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
AFDVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
AFDVX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

RYSEX

RYSEX Risk / Return Rank: 75
RYSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
RYSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
RYSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
RYSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
RYSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Finance Explorer Investor (AFDVX) and Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX). 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.

	AFDVX	RYSEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.49	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	3.74	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	4.44	-1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.51	13.97	-3.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFDVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is lower than the RYSEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFDVX and RYSEX, 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

	AFDVX	RYSEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	2.49	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.45	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.51	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.54	+0.05

Drawdowns

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFDVX drawdown since its inception was -42.97%, roughly equal to the maximum RYSEX drawdown of -43.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFDVX and RYSEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFDVX	RYSEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.97%	-43.25%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.33%	-8.20%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.38%	-23.03%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.38%	-23.03%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.97%	-32.13%	-10.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	0.00%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-6.36%	-0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.61%	-0.07%

Volatility

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Volatility Comparison

Applied Finance Explorer Investor (AFDVX) and Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX) have volatilities of 4.24% and 4.44%, 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

	AFDVX	RYSEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	4.44%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	9.42%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.66%	14.70%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.43%	16.38%	+4.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.55%	17.42%	+5.13%

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFDVX has a 1.08% expense ratio, which is lower than RYSEX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFDVX vs. RYSEX - Dividend Comparison

AFDVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than RYSEX's 10.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFDVX Applied Finance Explorer Investor	2.61%	2.90%	2.49%	0.77%	1.73%	0.67%	0.15%	0.46%	10.44%	1.96%	0.00%	0.00%
RYSEX Royce Special Equity Fund	10.34%	12.36%	16.35%	5.32%	12.34%	16.53%	3.70%	11.56%	13.11%	8.24%	7.72%	11.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFDVX and RYSEX in my portfolio?

AFDVX and RYSEX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFDVX or RYSEX?

RYSEX has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to AFDVX (4.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFDVX dropped -42.97% vs RYSEX's -43.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYSEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.70), 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.