AIGOX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AIGOX (Alger Growth & Income Portfolio) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, AIGOX returned 14.55%/yr vs 13.04%/yr for VFFSX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AIGOX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Growth & Income Portfolio (AIGOX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIGOX achieves a 11.69% return, which is significantly higher than VFFSX's 8.10% return.

AIGOX

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.54%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 29.77%
• 3Y*: 22.22%
• 5Y*: 14.55%
• 10Y*: 15.78%

VFFSX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.78%
• 1Y: 22.22%
• 3Y*: 20.77%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIGOX Alger Growth & Income Portfolio	11.69%	19.79%	23.07%	23.62%	-15.15%	31.82%	14.86%	29.48%	-4.61%	21.33%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	8.10%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between AIGOX and VFFSX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.97

The correlation between AIGOX and VFFSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIGOX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIGOX

AIGOX Risk / Return Rank: 84
AIGOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AIGOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AIGOX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AIGOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
AIGOX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 55
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Growth & Income Portfolio (AIGOX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	AIGOX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.79	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	2.44	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	2.51	+1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.32	11.22	+5.10

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIGOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIGOX and VFFSX, 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

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIGOX drawdown since its inception was -63.78%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIGOX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIGOX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.78%	-33.82%	-29.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.11%	-8.90%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.83%	-18.75%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.30%	-24.51%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.18%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	-3.22%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.36%	-4.49%	-10.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.83%	1.99%	-0.16%

Volatility

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger Growth & Income Portfolio (AIGOX) is 4.62%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) has a volatility of 4.88%. This indicates that AIGOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIGOX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	4.88%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.20%	9.90%	+0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	12.54%	+0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.32%	17.00%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	18.42%	-0.39%

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIGOX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIGOX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

AIGOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.17%, more than VFFSX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIGOX Alger Growth & Income Portfolio	12.17%	13.51%	1.23%	4.06%	8.76%	8.32%	1.66%	10.86%	8.44%	1.42%	1.17%	1.72%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.07%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIGOX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, AIGOX and VFFSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AIGOX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to AIGOX (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIGOX dropped -63.78% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIGOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.79), 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.