ALMRX vs. SPECX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ALMRX (Alger MidCap Growth Institutional Fund) and SPECX (Alger Spectra Fund) are both mutual funds - ALMRX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger, while SPECX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, ALMRX returned 12.59%/yr vs 17.64%/yr for SPECX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ALMRX charges 1.44%/yr vs 1.39%/yr for SPECX.

Performance

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALMRX achieves a 4.75% return, which is significantly lower than SPECX's 11.86% return. Over the past 10 years, ALMRX has underperformed SPECX with an annualized return of 12.59%, while SPECX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.64% annualized return.

ALMRX

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 3.80%
• YTD: 4.75%
• 6M: 3.37%
• 1Y: 17.03%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 3.96%
• 10Y*: 12.59%

SPECX

• 1D: -1.44%
• 1M: 6.79%
• YTD: 11.86%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 35.61%
• 3Y*: 34.22%
• 5Y*: 15.22%
• 10Y*: 17.64%

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

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALMRX Alger MidCap Growth Institutional Fund	4.75%	17.01%	20.02%	22.68%	-35.28%	6.17%	64.25%	29.79%	-7.77%	28.75%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	11.86%	29.16%	47.52%	41.34%	-39.37%	12.61%	43.66%	32.15%	-0.82%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between ALMRX and SPECX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1995	0.42

Over the past year, ALMRX and SPECX have become more correlated (0.77) than their long-term average of 0.42, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

ALMRX vs. SPECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALMRX

ALMRX Risk / Return Rank: 13
ALMRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
ALMRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
ALMRX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ALMRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
ALMRX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

SPECX

SPECX Risk / Return Rank: 29
SPECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
SPECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SPECX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SPECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SPECX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger MidCap Growth Institutional Fund (ALMRX) 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.

	ALMRX	SPECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	1.70	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.48	2.26	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.28	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	1.85	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.73	5.87	-2.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALMRX Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is lower than the SPECX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALMRX 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

	ALMRX	SPECX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98	1.70	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.47	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.64	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.50	-0.32

Drawdowns

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALMRX drawdown since its inception was -73.80%, roughly equal to the maximum SPECX drawdown of -72.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALMRX and SPECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALMRX	SPECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.80%	-72.19%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.06%	-20.03%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.71%	-27.91%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.01%	-54.82%	-9.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.01%	-54.82%	-9.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.35%	-2.18%	-30.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.21%	-24.04%	+1.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.98%	6.31%	-1.33%

Volatility

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alger MidCap Growth Institutional Fund (ALMRX) is 5.58%, while Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) has a volatility of 5.91%. This indicates that ALMRX 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

	ALMRX	SPECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.58%	5.91%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.64%	16.71%	-2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.03%	21.86%	-2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.46%	32.66%	+15.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.78%	27.85%	+9.93%

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALMRX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than SPECX's 1.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALMRX vs. SPECX - Dividend Comparison

ALMRX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPECX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.68%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALMRX Alger MidCap Growth Institutional Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	77.91%	12.19%	8.56%	7.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	6.68%	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 ALMRX and SPECX in my portfolio?

ALMRX and SPECX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALMRX or SPECX?

SPECX has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to ALMRX (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALMRX dropped -73.80% vs SPECX's -72.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPECX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.98), 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.