ALARX vs. AHSAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

ALARX (Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund) and AHSAX (Alger Health Sciences Fund) are both mutual funds - ALARX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger, while AHSAX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, ALARX returned 19.79%/yr vs 9.80%/yr for AHSAX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ALARX charges 1.12%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for AHSAX.

Performance

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX) and Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALARX achieves a 11.81% return, which is significantly higher than AHSAX's 7.37% return. Over the past 10 years, ALARX has outperformed AHSAX with an annualized return of 19.79%, while AHSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.80% annualized return.

ALARX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -0.48%
• YTD: 11.81%
• 6M: 9.54%
• 1Y: 33.68%
• 3Y*: 35.28%
• 5Y*: 16.05%
• 10Y*: 19.79%

AHSAX

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: 6.67%
• YTD: 7.37%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: 32.04%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: -1.64%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

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

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALARX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund	11.81%	31.75%	49.44%	42.82%	-36.88%	18.38%	41.50%	33.13%	-0.82%	31.11%
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund	7.37%	10.14%	1.17%	-4.26%	-17.04%	3.26%	30.99%	22.02%	5.71%	33.06%

Correlation

The correlation between ALARX and AHSAX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2003	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between ALARX and AHSAX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ALARX vs. AHSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALARX

ALARX Risk / Return Rank: 33
ALARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
ALARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
ALARX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
ALARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
ALARX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

AHSAX

AHSAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
AHSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
AHSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AHSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AHSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AHSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX) and Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX). 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.

	ALARX	AHSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.94	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.75	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.82	3.17	-1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.90	9.71	-3.80

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALARX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the AHSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALARX and AHSAX, 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

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALARX drawdown since its inception was -68.32%, which is greater than AHSAX's maximum drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALARX and AHSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALARX	AHSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.32%	-46.23%	-22.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.65%	-9.67%	-8.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.77%	-23.11%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.86%	-45.04%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.86%	-45.04%	-1.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.66%	-21.91%	+17.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.94%	-14.73%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.74%	3.15%	+2.59%

Volatility

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX) has a higher volatility of 9.62% compared to Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) at 5.84%. This indicates that ALARX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AHSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALARX	AHSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.62%	5.84%	+3.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.70%	12.44%	+5.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.87%	15.87%	+7.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.10%	24.18%	+3.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.92%	23.33%	+1.59%

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALARX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than AHSAX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALARX vs. AHSAX - Dividend Comparison

ALARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.25%, while AHSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	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%
ALARX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund	6.25%	6.99%	13.06%	8.09%	3.90%	19.40%	16.62%	10.34%	12.39%	6.75%	0.00%	7.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALARX and AHSAX in my portfolio?

ALARX and AHSAX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALARX or AHSAX?

ALARX has higher volatility (9.62%) compared to AHSAX (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALARX dropped -68.32% vs AHSAX's -46.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AHSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.49), 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.