ALMAX vs. VSGIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALMAX (Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund) and VSGIX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ALMAX returned 8.75%/yr vs 11.86%/yr for VSGIX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALMAX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VSGIX.

Performance

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund (ALMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALMAX achieves a 4.73% return, which is significantly lower than VSGIX's 18.74% return. Over the past 10 years, ALMAX has underperformed VSGIX with an annualized return of 8.75%, while VSGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.86% annualized return.

ALMAX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 5.95%
• YTD: 4.73%
• 6M: 3.25%
• 1Y: 12.92%
• 3Y*: 7.88%
• 5Y*: -3.52%
• 10Y*: 8.75%

VSGIX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 6.06%
• YTD: 18.74%
• 6M: 18.16%
• 1Y: 34.12%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

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

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALMAX Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund	4.73%	0.50%	13.78%	11.22%	-38.11%	5.83%	56.85%	39.17%	-4.10%	21.83%
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.74%	8.44%	14.95%	23.07%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.29%	32.77%	-5.70%	21.94%

Correlation

The correlation between ALMAX and VSGIX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2003	0.95

The correlation between ALMAX and VSGIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALMAX vs. VSGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALMAX

ALMAX Risk / Return Rank: 8
ALMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
ALMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
ALMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
ALMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
ALMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VSGIX

VSGIX Risk / Return Rank: 48
VSGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VSGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VSGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VSGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VSGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund (ALMAX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX). 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.

	ALMAX	VSGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	1.86	-1.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.12	2.56	-1.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.31	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	3.17	-2.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.14	12.10	-9.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALMAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the VSGIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALMAX and VSGIX, 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

	ALMAX	VSGIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68	1.86	-1.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12	0.26	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.52	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.41	-0.08

Drawdowns

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALMAX drawdown since its inception was -60.51%, roughly equal to the maximum VSGIX drawdown of -58.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALMAX and VSGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALMAX	VSGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.51%	-58.66%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.91%	-11.38%	-9.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.61%	-27.47%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.89%	-38.36%	-15.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.89%	-38.70%	-15.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.00%	0.00%	-32.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.33%	-11.34%	-5.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.83%	2.98%	+3.85%

Volatility

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund (ALMAX) has a higher volatility of 7.66% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSGIX) at 5.28%. This indicates that ALMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALMAX	VSGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.66%	5.28%	+2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.11%	14.85%	+2.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.71%	19.45%	+2.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.17%	23.56%	+5.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.26%	22.98%	+4.28%

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALMAX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGIX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALMAX vs. VSGIX - Dividend Comparison

ALMAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALMAX Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	24.48%	4.64%	4.00%	9.86%	0.00%	12.44%	55.85%
VSGIX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.45%	0.55%	0.55%	0.68%	0.56%	0.37%	0.45%	0.58%	0.80%	0.82%	1.09%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALMAX and VSGIX in my portfolio?

ALMAX and VSGIX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALMAX or VSGIX?

ALMAX has higher volatility (7.66%) compared to VSGIX (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALMAX dropped -60.51% vs VSGIX's -58.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.68), 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.