ALAFX vs. SWLGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALAFX (Alger Focus Equity A Fund) and SWLGX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. ALAFX is actively managed, while SWLGX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ALAFX returned 20.81%/yr vs 16.03%/yr for SWLGX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ALAFX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SWLGX.

Performance

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (SWLGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALAFX achieves a 17.12% return, which is significantly higher than SWLGX's 8.61% return.

ALAFX

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 8.94%
• YTD: 17.12%
• 6M: 16.71%
• 1Y: 50.29%
• 3Y*: 41.58%
• 5Y*: 20.81%
• 10Y*: 21.77%

SWLGX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 7.15%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 8.00%
• 1Y: 27.46%
• 3Y*: 25.54%
• 5Y*: 16.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	17.12%	39.65%	51.72%	44.15%	-35.95%	20.00%	45.73%	33.84%	1.33%	-0.22%
SWLGX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	8.61%	18.55%	33.30%	42.67%	-29.17%	27.55%	38.43%	36.30%	-1.59%	-0.60%

Correlation

The correlation between ALAFX and SWLGX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2017	0.96

The correlation between ALAFX and SWLGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALAFX vs. SWLGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALAFX

ALAFX Risk / Return Rank: 57
ALAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ALAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ALAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ALAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ALAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

SWLGX

SWLGX Risk / Return Rank: 32
SWLGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SWLGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SWLGX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SWLGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
SWLGX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (SWLGX). 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.

	ALAFX	SWLGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.85	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.50	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.32	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	1.76	+1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.12	5.92	+4.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALAFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the SWLGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALAFX and SWLGX, 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

	ALAFX	SWLGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.85	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.75	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.80	+0.10

Drawdowns

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALAFX drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, which is greater than SWLGX's maximum drawdown of -32.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALAFX and SWLGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALAFX	SWLGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.65%	-32.69%	-10.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.58%	-16.16%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.96%	-23.30%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.65%	-32.69%	-10.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.37%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.68%	-7.05%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.16%	4.80%	+0.36%

Volatility

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX) has a higher volatility of 5.00% compared to Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (SWLGX) at 3.30%. This indicates that ALAFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWLGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALAFX	SWLGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	3.30%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.02%	11.59%	+4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	15.40%	+5.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.17%	21.49%	+4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.99%	22.68%	+1.31%

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALAFX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SWLGX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALAFX vs. SWLGX - Dividend Comparison

ALAFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.75%, more than SWLGX's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	6.75%	7.91%	0.00%	0.10%	0.06%	14.09%	6.28%	1.98%	5.41%
SWLGX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund	0.42%	0.46%	0.52%	0.67%	0.93%	1.76%	0.67%	0.96%	1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALAFX and SWLGX in my portfolio?

ALAFX and SWLGX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALAFX or SWLGX?

ALAFX has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to SWLGX (3.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALAFX dropped -43.65% vs SWLGX's -32.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.85), 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.