AHSAX vs. VGHCX
Compare and contrast key facts about Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX).
AHSAX is managed by Alger. It was launched on Apr 30, 2002. VGHCX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on May 23, 1984.
Performance
AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Performance Comparison
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AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund | -5.75% | 10.14% | 1.17% | -4.26% | -17.04% | 3.26% | 30.99% | 22.02% | 5.71% | 33.06% |
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | -5.90% | 19.63% | 8.99% | 5.46% | -1.05% | 14.36% | 12.57% | 22.93% | 1.03% | 19.59% |
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AHSAX having a -5.75% return and VGHCX slightly lower at -5.90%. Over the past 10 years, AHSAX has underperformed VGHCX with an annualized return of 8.21%, while VGHCX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.25% annualized return.
AHSAX
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- -8.71%
- YTD
- -5.75%
- 6M
- 7.29%
- 1Y
- 14.55%
- 3Y*
- 2.02%
- 5Y*
- -2.34%
- 10Y*
- 8.21%
VGHCX
- 1D
- 0.43%
- 1M
- -8.80%
- YTD
- -5.90%
- 6M
- 7.14%
- 1Y
- 9.73%
- 3Y*
- 9.19%
- 5Y*
- 7.98%
- 10Y*
- 9.25%
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AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Expense Ratio Comparison
AHSAX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VGHCX's 0.30% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
AHSAX vs. VGHCX — Risk / Return Rank
AHSAX
VGHCX
AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). 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 | VGHCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.91 | 0.53 | +0.38 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.35 | 0.83 | +0.51 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.10 | +0.06 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.50 | 1.14 | +0.36 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.92 | 2.80 | +2.12 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| AHSAX | VGHCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.91 | 0.53 | +0.38 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.10 | 0.44 | -0.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 | 0.53 | -0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.31 | 0.93 | -0.62 |
Correlation
The correlation between AHSAX and VGHCX is 0.85, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Dividend Comparison
AHSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.02%.
| 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% |
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | 7.02% | 6.00% | 22.72% | 7.17% | 5.44% | 8.31% | 7.96% | 11.82% | 9.10% | 7.30% | 8.54% | 8.16% |
Drawdowns
AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AHSAX drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, which is greater than VGHCX's maximum drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHSAX and VGHCX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AHSAX | VGHCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.23% | -36.93% | -9.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.67% | -9.20% | -0.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.04% | -16.95% | -28.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.04% | -27.18% | -17.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -31.45% | -8.80% | -22.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.61% | -5.25% | -9.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.95% | 3.91% | -0.96% |
Volatility
AHSAX vs. VGHCX - Volatility Comparison
Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) and Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) have volatilities of 4.84% and 4.82%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| AHSAX | VGHCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.84% | 4.82% | +0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.50% | 10.26% | +1.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.42% | 17.43% | -1.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.29% | 18.05% | +6.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.37% | 17.62% | +5.75% |