AHSAX vs. PHSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AHSAX (Alger Health Sciences Fund) and PHSTX (Putnam Global Health Care Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX returned 8.16%/yr vs 8.58%/yr for PHSTX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 1.05% expense ratio.

Performance

AHSAX vs. PHSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Putnam Global Health Care Fund (PHSTX). 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 higher than PHSTX's -4.12% return. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX has underperformed PHSTX with an annualized return of 8.16%, while PHSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.58% 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%

PHSTX

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: -4.12%
• 6M: -4.03%
• 1Y: 13.40%
• 3Y*: 6.64%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

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

AHSAX vs. PHSTX - 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%
PHSTX Putnam Global Health Care Fund	-4.12%	15.20%	1.35%	9.11%	-4.88%	19.60%	15.94%	30.26%	-0.76%	15.30%

Correlation

The correlation between AHSAX and PHSTX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2003	0.84

The correlation between AHSAX and PHSTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AHSAX vs. PHSTX — 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

PHSTX

PHSTX Risk / Return Rank: 13
PHSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
PHSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
PHSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
PHSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PHSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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. PHSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Putnam Global Health Care Fund (PHSTX). 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	PHSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	0.94	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	1.49	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.17	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	1.37	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.85	3.44	+3.40
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. PHSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is higher than the PHSTX Sharpe Ratio of 0.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHSAX and PHSTX, 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	PHSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	0.94	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	0.41	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.55	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.61	-0.29

Drawdowns

AHSAX vs. PHSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHSAX drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, roughly equal to the maximum PHSTX drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHSAX and PHSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHSAX	PHSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.23%	-45.51%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-9.71%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.11%	-20.71%	-2.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.04%	-20.71%	-24.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.04%	-25.51%	-19.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.77%	-8.08%	-20.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.71%	-9.92%	-4.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	3.86%	-0.76%

Volatility

AHSAX vs. PHSTX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) has a higher volatility of 5.42% compared to Putnam Global Health Care Fund (PHSTX) at 4.04%. This indicates that AHSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PHSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHSAX	PHSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	4.04%	+1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.88%	10.14%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	14.14%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.15%	14.41%	+9.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.33%	15.78%	+7.55%

AHSAX vs. PHSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AHSAX and PHSTX have an expense ratio of 1.05%.

Dividends

AHSAX vs. PHSTX - Dividend Comparison

AHSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PHSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%.

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%
PHSTX Putnam Global Health Care Fund	1.86%	1.79%	4.92%	5.62%	7.82%	11.98%	9.58%	5.72%	6.82%	17.31%	10.65%	13.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHSAX and PHSTX in my portfolio?

AHSAX and PHSTX have a correlation of 0.69, 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 PHSTX?

AHSAX has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to PHSTX (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHSAX dropped -46.23% vs PHSTX's -45.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AHSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.94), 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.