AINTX vs. ARFFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AINTX (Ariel International Fund) and ARFFX (Ariel Focus Fund) are both mutual funds - AINTX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Ariel Investments, while ARFFX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Ariel Investments. Over the past 10 years, AINTX returned 7.11%/yr vs 10.51%/yr for ARFFX. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AINTX charges 1.13%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for ARFFX.

Performance

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ariel International Fund (AINTX) and Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AINTX achieves a 16.82% return, which is significantly higher than ARFFX's 14.89% return. Over the past 10 years, AINTX has underperformed ARFFX with an annualized return of 7.11%, while ARFFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.51% annualized return.

AINTX

• 1D: 2.97%
• 1M: -2.39%
• 6M: 12.41%
• YTD: 16.82%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 7.11%
• ALL TIME*: 7.19%

ARFFX

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 3.58%
• 6M: 6.78%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 1Y: 29.66%
• 3Y*: 16.17%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 10.51%
• ALL TIME*: 7.38%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AINTX Ariel International Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AINTX Ariel International Fund	16.82%	31.39%	5.23%	10.02%	-11.33%	4.31%	6.84%	12.83%	-9.82%	16.35%
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	14.89%	21.00%	13.39%	6.98%	-9.12%	21.14%	6.90%	25.62%	-13.23%	15.01%

Correlation

The correlation between AINTX and ARFFX is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012	0.57

The correlation between AINTX and ARFFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AINTX vs. ARFFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AINTX

AINTX Risk / Return Rank: 63
AINTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
AINTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
AINTX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
AINTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
AINTX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

ARFFX

ARFFX Risk / Return Rank: 81
ARFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
ARFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ARFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
ARFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ARFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ariel International Fund (AINTX) and Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX). 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.

	AINTX	ARFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.06	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.98	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.36	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	3.46	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.35	8.50	-1.15

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AINTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the ARFFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AINTX and ARFFX, 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

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AINTX drawdown since its inception was -27.95%, smaller than the maximum ARFFX drawdown of -57.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AINTX and ARFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AINTX	ARFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.95%	-57.66%	+29.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.93%	-8.02%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.39%	-23.39%	+10.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.31%	-24.50%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.95%	-43.22%	+15.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.65%	-1.43%	-1.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.52%	-9.39%	+3.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	3.26%	+0.35%

Volatility

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Volatility Comparison

Ariel International Fund (AINTX) has a higher volatility of 5.31% compared to Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) at 3.73%. This indicates that AINTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AINTX	ARFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	3.73%	+1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.11%	9.33%	+4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.54%	13.50%	+3.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.63%	18.44%	-3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.64%	19.79%	-6.15%

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AINTX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than ARFFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

AINTX vs. ARFFX - Dividend Comparison

AINTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.02%, more than ARFFX's 11.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AINTX Ariel International Fund	13.02%	15.21%	6.28%	1.64%	0.00%	2.54%	1.47%	1.59%	1.17%	1.76%	1.69%	0.20%
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	11.04%	12.68%	2.27%	3.33%	8.30%	3.30%	2.41%	1.03%	7.61%	5.76%	1.04%	13.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AINTX and ARFFX in my portfolio?

AINTX and ARFFX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AINTX or ARFFX?

AINTX has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to ARFFX (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AINTX dropped -27.95% vs ARFFX's -57.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.61), 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.