AHSAX vs. PDFDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AHSAX (Alger Health Sciences Fund) and PDFDX (Perkins Discovery Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX returned 8.16%/yr vs 9.82%/yr for PDFDX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AHSAX charges 1.05%/yr vs 2.50%/yr for PDFDX.

Performance

AHSAX vs. PDFDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Perkins Discovery Fund (PDFDX). 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 PDFDX's 1.98% return. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX has underperformed PDFDX with an annualized return of 8.16%, while PDFDX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.82% 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%

PDFDX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 5.46%
• YTD: 1.98%
• 6M: 2.97%
• 1Y: 31.05%
• 3Y*: 8.77%
• 5Y*: -4.76%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

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

AHSAX vs. PDFDX - 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%
PDFDX Perkins Discovery Fund	1.98%	9.94%	19.19%	10.77%	-39.93%	2.11%	62.16%	15.01%	22.19%	11.58%

Correlation

The correlation between AHSAX and PDFDX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2003	0.65

The correlation between AHSAX and PDFDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.70 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AHSAX vs. PDFDX — 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

PDFDX

PDFDX Risk / Return Rank: 19
PDFDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
PDFDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
PDFDX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PDFDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
PDFDX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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. PDFDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Perkins Discovery Fund (PDFDX). 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	PDFDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.29	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.00	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.22	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	1.52	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.85	4.28	+2.57
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. PDFDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the PDFDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHSAX and PDFDX, 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	PDFDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	1.29	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	-0.16	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.34	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.38	-0.06

Drawdowns

AHSAX vs. PDFDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHSAX drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, smaller than the maximum PDFDX drawdown of -67.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHSAX and PDFDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHSAX	PDFDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.23%	-67.44%	+21.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-22.11%	+12.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.11%	-31.75%	+8.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.04%	-59.95%	+14.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.04%	-62.70%	+17.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.77%	-34.65%	+5.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.71%	-25.72%	+11.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	7.80%	-4.70%

Volatility

AHSAX vs. PDFDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) is 5.42%, while Perkins Discovery Fund (PDFDX) has a volatility of 6.50%. This indicates that AHSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PDFDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHSAX	PDFDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	6.50%	-1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.88%	18.09%	-6.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	26.02%	-10.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.15%	29.80%	-5.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.33%	28.96%	-5.63%

AHSAX vs. PDFDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHSAX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PDFDX's 2.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHSAX vs. PDFDX - Dividend Comparison

AHSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PDFDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.60%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	27.18%	11.68%	6.98%	7.82%
PDFDX Perkins Discovery Fund	9.60%	4.25%	0.00%	0.00%	1.78%	31.11%	1.71%	0.00%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHSAX and PDFDX in my portfolio?

AHSAX and PDFDX have a correlation of 0.53, 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 PDFDX?

PDFDX has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to AHSAX (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHSAX dropped -46.23% vs PDFDX's -67.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AHSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.29), 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.