AIEMX vs. ALAFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AIEMX (Alger Emerging Markets Fund) and ALAFX (Alger Focus Equity A Fund) are both mutual funds - AIEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Alger, while ALAFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, AIEMX returned 9.72%/yr vs 22.22%/yr for ALAFX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIEMX charges 1.45%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for ALAFX.

Performance

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Emerging Markets Fund (AIEMX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIEMX achieves a 31.21% return, which is significantly higher than ALAFX's 15.83% return. Over the past 10 years, AIEMX has underperformed ALAFX with an annualized return of 9.72%, while ALAFX has yielded a comparatively higher 22.22% annualized return.

AIEMX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 10.32%
• YTD: 31.21%
• 6M: 31.71%
• 1Y: 50.42%
• 3Y*: 22.78%
• 5Y*: 4.01%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

ALAFX

• 1D: -1.99%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 15.83%
• 6M: 13.66%
• 1Y: 45.39%
• 3Y*: 40.20%
• 5Y*: 19.22%
• 10Y*: 22.22%

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

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIEMX Alger Emerging Markets Fund	31.21%	25.30%	5.60%	13.49%	-32.52%	-0.45%	37.17%	21.98%	-21.81%	38.72%
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	15.83%	39.65%	51.72%	44.15%	-35.95%	20.00%	45.73%	33.84%	1.33%	28.70%

Correlation

The correlation between AIEMX and ALAFX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.67

The correlation between AIEMX and ALAFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIEMX vs. ALAFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIEMX

AIEMX Risk / Return Rank: 74
AIEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AIEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
AIEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
AIEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AIEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

ALAFX

ALAFX Risk / Return Rank: 49
ALAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ALAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ALAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
ALAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ALAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Emerging Markets Fund (AIEMX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX). 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.

	AIEMX	ALAFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.06	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.66	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.34	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	2.67	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.24	8.88	+4.36

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the ALAFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIEMX and ALAFX, 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

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIEMX drawdown since its inception was -46.21%, which is greater than ALAFX's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIEMX and ALAFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIEMX	ALAFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.21%	-43.65%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.17%	-17.58%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.86%	-26.96%	+9.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.75%	-43.65%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.21%	-43.65%	-2.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.99%	+1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.20%	-7.67%	-9.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.87%	5.27%	-1.40%

Volatility

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Emerging Markets Fund (AIEMX) has a higher volatility of 11.84% compared to Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX) at 9.14%. This indicates that AIEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALAFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIEMX	ALAFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.84%	9.14%	+2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.69%	17.62%	+2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.79%	22.86%	-1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.84%	26.43%	-6.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	24.13%	-4.35%

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIEMX has a 1.45% expense ratio, which is higher than ALAFX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIEMX vs. ALAFX - Dividend Comparison

AIEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than ALAFX's 6.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIEMX Alger Emerging Markets Fund	0.04%	0.05%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	4.19%	0.00%	5.08%	2.35%	3.58%
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	6.83%	7.91%	0.00%	0.10%	0.06%	14.09%	6.28%	1.98%	5.41%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIEMX and ALAFX in my portfolio?

AIEMX and ALAFX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIEMX or ALAFX?

AIEMX has higher volatility (11.84%) compared to ALAFX (9.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIEMX dropped -46.21% vs ALAFX's -43.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.06), 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.