ALBAX vs. SPECX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALBAX (Alger Growth & Income Fund) and SPECX (Alger Spectra Fund) are both mutual funds - ALBAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Alger, while SPECX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, ALBAX returned 15.46%/yr vs 17.81%/yr for SPECX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALBAX charges 0.98%/yr vs 1.39%/yr for SPECX.

Performance

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Growth & Income Fund (ALBAX) and Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ALBAX having a 13.85% return and SPECX slightly lower at 13.50%. Over the past 10 years, ALBAX has underperformed SPECX with an annualized return of 15.46%, while SPECX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.81% annualized return.

ALBAX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 13.85%
• 6M: 12.67%
• 1Y: 35.27%
• 3Y*: 22.73%
• 5Y*: 15.07%
• 10Y*: 15.46%

SPECX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 8.72%
• YTD: 13.50%
• 6M: 13.17%
• 1Y: 38.92%
• 3Y*: 34.88%
• 5Y*: 15.81%
• 10Y*: 17.81%

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

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALBAX Alger Growth & Income Fund	13.85%	19.89%	21.81%	22.60%	-14.12%	30.79%	15.22%	28.92%	-4.72%	20.18%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	13.50%	29.16%	47.52%	41.34%	-39.37%	12.61%	43.66%	32.15%	-0.82%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between ALBAX and SPECX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1997	0.90

The correlation between ALBAX and SPECX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ALBAX vs. SPECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALBAX

ALBAX Risk / Return Rank: 89
ALBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
ALBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ALBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ALBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
ALBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

SPECX

SPECX Risk / Return Rank: 32
SPECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SPECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
SPECX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
SPECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
SPECX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Growth & Income Fund (ALBAX) and Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX). 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.

	ALBAX	SPECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	1.84	+1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	2.41	+1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.30	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	2.00	+2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.90	6.34	+14.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALBAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is higher than the SPECX Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALBAX and SPECX, 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

	ALBAX	SPECX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	1.84	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.49	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.64	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.50	+0.17

Drawdowns

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALBAX drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum SPECX drawdown of -72.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALBAX and SPECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALBAX	SPECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-72.19%	+31.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.86%	-20.03%	+12.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.65%	-27.91%	+10.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.06%	-54.82%	+32.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.26%	-54.82%	+20.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.74%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-24.04%	+16.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	6.31%	-4.58%

Volatility

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger Growth & Income Fund (ALBAX) is 3.06%, while Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that ALBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPECX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALBAX	SPECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.06%	5.63%	-2.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	16.64%	-7.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	21.82%	-9.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.51%	32.67%	-17.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	27.86%	-10.61%

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALBAX has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is lower than SPECX's 1.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALBAX vs. SPECX - Dividend Comparison

ALBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than SPECX's 6.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALBAX Alger Growth & Income Fund	0.80%	0.74%	1.08%	0.98%	1.24%	4.17%	2.55%	5.00%	6.75%	2.35%	1.56%	3.75%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	6.58%	7.47%	6.49%	0.00%	2.70%	34.41%	9.19%	7.20%	12.09%	6.14%	0.00%	8.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALBAX and SPECX in my portfolio?

ALBAX and SPECX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALBAX or SPECX?

SPECX has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to ALBAX (3.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALBAX dropped -40.56% vs SPECX's -72.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 1.84), 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.