AFEIX vs. QUERX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AFEIX (American Century Large Cap Equity Fund Institutional Class) and QUERX (AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, AFEIX returned 14.64%/yr vs 10.99%/yr for QUERX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFEIX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for QUERX.

Performance

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Large Cap Equity Fund Institutional Class (AFEIX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6 (QUERX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFEIX achieves a 7.35% return, which is significantly higher than QUERX's 5.74% return. Over the past 10 years, AFEIX has outperformed QUERX with an annualized return of 14.64%, while QUERX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.99% annualized return.

AFEIX

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 7.35%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 21.41%
• 3Y*: 16.08%
• 5Y*: 10.87%
• 10Y*: 14.64%

QUERX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -0.27%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 4.79%
• 1Y: 8.30%
• 3Y*: 10.74%
• 5Y*: 6.85%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

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

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFEIX American Century Large Cap Equity Fund Institutional Class	7.35%	11.41%	19.80%	24.47%	-19.36%	28.92%	19.54%	34.04%	-4.19%	26.04%
QUERX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6	5.74%	6.98%	13.98%	9.55%	-13.73%	23.56%	13.20%	28.82%	-0.21%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between AFEIX and QUERX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between AFEIX and QUERX has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AFEIX vs. QUERX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFEIX

AFEIX Risk / Return Rank: 38
AFEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
AFEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
AFEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AFEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AFEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

QUERX

QUERX Risk / Return Rank: 16
QUERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
QUERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
QUERX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
QUERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
QUERX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Large Cap Equity Fund Institutional Class (AFEIX) and AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6 (QUERX). 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.

	AFEIX	QUERX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.01	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	1.46	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.18	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	1.42	+0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.26	4.73	+4.52

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFEIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is higher than the QUERX Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFEIX and QUERX, 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

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFEIX drawdown since its inception was -52.69%, which is greater than QUERX's maximum drawdown of -30.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFEIX and QUERX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFEIX	QUERX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.69%	-30.81%	-21.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.13%	-5.93%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.51%	-10.21%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.42%	-22.04%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	-30.81%	-3.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-1.33%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.51%	-3.91%	-3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	1.77%	+0.50%

Volatility

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Volatility Comparison

American Century Large Cap Equity Fund Institutional Class (AFEIX) has a higher volatility of 4.81% compared to AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6 (QUERX) at 3.41%. This indicates that AFEIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUERX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFEIX	QUERX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	3.41%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.20%	6.23%	+3.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.79%	8.37%	+4.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	13.05%	+4.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.65%	15.24%	+3.41%

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFEIX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than QUERX's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFEIX vs. QUERX - Dividend Comparison

AFEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.78%, which matches QUERX's 21.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFEIX American Century Large Cap Equity Fund Institutional Class	21.78%	23.38%	6.88%	1.97%	0.83%	2.58%	0.60%	0.80%	9.11%	3.14%	1.38%	1.28%
QUERX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class R6	21.62%	22.86%	24.47%	24.43%	10.37%	2.62%	1.37%	1.18%	1.74%	2.45%	2.06%	6.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFEIX and QUERX in my portfolio?

AFEIX and QUERX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFEIX or QUERX?

AFEIX has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to QUERX (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFEIX dropped -52.69% vs QUERX's -30.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.01), 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.