ALGRX vs. GAFFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ALGRX (Alger Focus Equity Fund) and GAFFX (American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ALGRX returned 20.23%/yr vs 12.43%/yr for GAFFX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALGRX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for GAFFX.

Performance

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Focus Equity Fund (ALGRX) and American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3 (GAFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALGRX achieves a 15.62% return, which is significantly higher than GAFFX's 9.34% return.

ALGRX

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 7.05%
• YTD: 15.62%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 47.00%
• 3Y*: 41.01%
• 5Y*: 20.23%
• 10Y*: 21.66%

GAFFX

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 9.34%
• 6M: 8.89%
• 1Y: 25.10%
• 3Y*: 25.20%
• 5Y*: 12.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALGRX Alger Focus Equity Fund	15.62%	39.68%	51.77%	44.20%	-35.94%	20.06%	45.82%	33.93%	1.39%	21.50%
GAFFX American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3	9.34%	20.09%	28.41%	37.68%	-30.54%	19.67%	38.31%	28.57%	-2.89%	20.76%

Correlation

The correlation between ALGRX and GAFFX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.94

The correlation between ALGRX and GAFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALGRX vs. GAFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALGRX

ALGRX Risk / Return Rank: 50
ALGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ALGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ALGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
ALGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
ALGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

GAFFX

GAFFX Risk / Return Rank: 32
GAFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
GAFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GAFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
GAFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GAFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Focus Equity Fund (ALGRX) and American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3 (GAFFX). 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.

	ALGRX	GAFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.69	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.33	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.30	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	1.87	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.42	7.32	+2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALGRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the GAFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALGRX and GAFFX, 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

	ALGRX	GAFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.69	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.62	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.80	-0.34

Drawdowns

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALGRX drawdown since its inception was -62.64%, which is greater than GAFFX's maximum drawdown of -36.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALGRX and GAFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALGRX	GAFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.64%	-36.19%	-26.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.55%	-13.71%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.96%	-21.55%	-5.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.57%	-36.19%	-7.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-1.12%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-7.40%	-11.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.15%	3.50%	+1.65%

Volatility

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Focus Equity Fund (ALGRX) has a higher volatility of 5.28% compared to American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3 (GAFFX) at 3.84%. This indicates that ALGRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GAFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALGRX	GAFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.28%	3.84%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.07%	11.66%	+4.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.40%	15.17%	+6.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.16%	20.25%	+5.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.98%	20.14%	+3.84%

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALGRX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than GAFFX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALGRX vs. GAFFX - Dividend Comparison

ALGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.78%, less than GAFFX's 10.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALGRX Alger Focus Equity Fund	6.78%	7.84%	0.00%	0.10%	0.06%	13.98%	6.25%	2.08%	5.38%	0.00%
GAFFX American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3	10.06%	11.00%	9.30%	7.71%	4.45%	8.50%	4.58%	7.47%	12.37%	7.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALGRX and GAFFX in my portfolio?

ALGRX and GAFFX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALGRX or GAFFX?

ALGRX has higher volatility (5.28%) compared to GAFFX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALGRX dropped -62.64% vs GAFFX's -36.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALGRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.69), 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.