AHSAX vs. FBDIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AHSAX (Alger Health Sciences Fund) and FBDIX (Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX returned 8.16%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for FBDIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AHSAX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for FBDIX.

Performance

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund (FBDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AHSAX achieves a -2.06% return, which is significantly lower than FBDIX's 0.59% return. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX has underperformed FBDIX with an annualized return of 8.16%, while FBDIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.81% annualized return.

AHSAX

• 1D: -2.70%
• 1M: -2.28%
• YTD: -2.06%
• 6M: -1.19%
• 1Y: 21.16%
• 3Y*: 2.76%
• 5Y*: -1.74%
• 10Y*: 8.16%

FBDIX

• 1D: -4.72%
• 1M: -5.53%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 59.54%
• 3Y*: 26.59%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund	-2.06%	10.14%	1.17%	-4.26%	-17.04%	3.26%	30.99%	22.02%	5.71%	33.06%
FBDIX Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund	0.59%	52.68%	15.37%	18.40%	-12.65%	-27.58%	29.85%	49.11%	-15.77%	18.83%

Correlation

The correlation between AHSAX and FBDIX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2003	0.85

The correlation between AHSAX and FBDIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (3 years) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AHSAX vs. FBDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AHSAX

AHSAX Risk / Return Rank: 26
AHSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
AHSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
AHSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
AHSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AHSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

FBDIX

FBDIX Risk / Return Rank: 82
FBDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FBDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FBDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
FBDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FBDIX 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.

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund (FBDIX). 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.

	AHSAX	FBDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.69	-1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.54	-1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.44	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	6.76	-4.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.85	23.11	-16.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the FBDIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHSAX and FBDIX, 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

	AHSAX	FBDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	2.69	-1.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	0.32	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.37	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.40	-0.09

Drawdowns

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHSAX drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, smaller than the maximum FBDIX drawdown of -71.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHSAX and FBDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHSAX	FBDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.23%	-71.44%	+25.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-9.18%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.11%	-24.22%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.04%	-46.83%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.04%	-53.67%	+8.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.77%	-9.18%	-19.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.71%	-28.74%	+14.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	2.68%	+0.42%

Volatility

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) is 5.42%, while Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund (FBDIX) has a volatility of 8.88%. This indicates that AHSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHSAX	FBDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	8.88%	-3.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.88%	17.92%	-6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	23.10%	-7.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.15%	25.75%	-1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.33%	26.33%	-3.00%

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHSAX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than FBDIX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHSAX vs. FBDIX - Dividend Comparison

AHSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FBDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.75%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	27.18%	11.68%	6.98%	7.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FBDIX Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund	10.75%	10.81%	19.53%	0.00%	0.13%	0.98%	14.50%	18.77%	3.72%	2.39%	4.57%	8.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHSAX and FBDIX in my portfolio?

AHSAX and FBDIX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AHSAX or FBDIX?

FBDIX has higher volatility (8.88%) compared to AHSAX (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHSAX dropped -46.23% vs FBDIX's -71.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.40), 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.