ALFAX vs. EMCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALFAX (Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund) and EMCAX (Empiric 2500 Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ALFAX returned 10.51%/yr vs 10.73%/yr for EMCAX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALFAX charges 1.40%/yr vs 1.96%/yr for EMCAX.

Performance

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) and Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALFAX achieves a 18.69% return, which is significantly higher than EMCAX's 11.03% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ALFAX having a 10.51% annualized return and EMCAX not far ahead at 10.73%.

ALFAX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 32.77%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 5.22%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

EMCAX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 11.03%
• 6M: 7.84%
• 1Y: 16.32%
• 3Y*: 12.56%
• 5Y*: 4.28%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

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

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALFAX Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund	18.69%	8.80%	13.18%	13.92%	-23.50%	15.01%	26.16%	24.95%	-9.72%	20.61%
EMCAX Empiric 2500 Fund	11.03%	2.37%	13.89%	12.43%	-16.06%	16.07%	27.81%	19.10%	-4.64%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between ALFAX and EMCAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 1998	0.85

The correlation between ALFAX and EMCAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALFAX vs. EMCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALFAX

ALFAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
ALFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ALFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ALFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ALFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
ALFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

EMCAX

EMCAX Risk / Return Rank: 23
EMCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
EMCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
EMCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
EMCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
EMCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) and Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX). 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.

	ALFAX	EMCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.20	+0.82
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	1.85	+1.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.21	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	1.98	+1.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	7.46	+5.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the EMCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALFAX and EMCAX, 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

	ALFAX	EMCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.20	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.24	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.53	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.46	-0.03

Drawdowns

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALFAX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, which is greater than EMCAX's maximum drawdown of -51.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALFAX and EMCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALFAX	EMCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.11%	-51.81%	-5.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.31%	-8.60%	-1.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-19.19%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.88%	-30.60%	-3.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.29%	-42.79%	+2.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-2.58%	+2.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.87%	-13.27%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	2.28%	+0.39%

Volatility

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Volatility Comparison

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) has a higher volatility of 5.84% compared to Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX) at 4.64%. This indicates that ALFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALFAX	EMCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	4.64%	+1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.10%	11.27%	+1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.86%	14.15%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.86%	18.17%	+1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	20.24%	+0.48%

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALFAX has a 1.40% expense ratio, which is lower than EMCAX's 1.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALFAX vs. EMCAX - Dividend Comparison

ALFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, more than EMCAX's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALFAX Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund	4.47%	5.30%	0.80%	0.46%	6.94%	5.38%	7.99%	14.66%	16.61%	11.96%	11.85%	15.83%
EMCAX Empiric 2500 Fund	0.12%	0.13%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	7.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALFAX and EMCAX in my portfolio?

ALFAX and EMCAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALFAX or EMCAX?

ALFAX has higher volatility (5.84%) compared to EMCAX (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALFAX dropped -57.11% vs EMCAX's -51.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.20), 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.