ALSCX vs. ALBAX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ALSCX (Alger Small Cap Growth Fund) and ALBAX (Alger Growth & Income Fund) are both mutual funds - ALSCX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger, while ALBAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, ALSCX returned 10.99%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for ALBAX. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ALSCX charges 1.96%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for ALBAX.

Performance

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALSCX achieves a 22.89% return, which is significantly higher than ALBAX's 13.02% return. Over the past 10 years, ALSCX has underperformed ALBAX with an annualized return of 10.99%, while ALBAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.07% annualized return.

ALSCX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 19.28%
• YTD: 22.89%
• 1Y: 38.99%
• 3Y*: 14.03%
• 5Y*: -0.94%
• 10Y*: 10.99%
• ALL TIME*: 3.50%

ALBAX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 0.43%
• 6M: 9.75%
• YTD: 13.02%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 20.02%
• 5Y*: 13.71%
• 10Y*: 15.07%
• ALL TIME*: 10.04%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ALBAX Alger Growth & Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
ALSCX Alger Small Cap Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALSCX Alger Small Cap Growth Fund	22.89%	7.80%	9.47%	16.25%	-37.61%	-3.35%	63.82%	28.12%	1.20%	25.24%
ALBAX Alger Growth & Income Fund	13.02%	19.89%	21.81%	22.60%	-14.12%	30.79%	15.22%	28.92%	-4.72%	20.18%

Correlation

The correlation between ALSCX and ALBAX is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1997	0.81

The correlation between ALSCX and ALBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALSCX vs. ALBAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ALSCX

ALSCX Risk / Return Rank: 44
ALSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
ALSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
ALSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
ALSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
ALSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

ALBAX

ALBAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
ALBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ALBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ALBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
ALBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ALBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ALSCX	ALBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.97	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	2.77	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.35	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	3.25	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.47	13.86	-7.39

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALSCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the ALBAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALSCX and ALBAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALSCX drawdown since its inception was -76.39%, which is greater than ALBAX's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALSCX and ALBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALSCX	ALBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.39%	-40.56%	-35.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.23%	-7.86%	-11.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.29%	-17.65%	-16.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.13%	-22.06%	-28.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.16%	-34.26%	-18.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.54%	-0.86%	-12.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.18%	-7.30%	-27.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.73%	1.84%	+3.89%

Volatility

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Small Cap Growth Fund (ALSCX) has a higher volatility of 8.67% compared to Alger Growth & Income Fund (ALBAX) at 3.24%. This indicates that ALSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALSCX	ALBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.67%	3.24%	+5.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.42%	9.95%	+11.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.18%	12.99%	+13.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.34%	15.61%	+12.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.90%	17.25%	+8.65%

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALSCX has a 1.96% expense ratio, which is higher than ALBAX's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALSCX vs. ALBAX - Dividend Comparison

ALSCX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ALBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALBAX Alger Growth & Income Fund	0.72%	0.74%	1.08%	0.98%	1.24%	4.17%	2.55%	5.00%	6.75%	2.35%	1.56%	3.75%
ALSCX Alger Small Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.11%	0.67%	8.26%	17.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALSCX and ALBAX in my portfolio?

ALSCX and ALBAX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALSCX or ALBAX?

ALSCX has higher volatility (8.67%) compared to ALBAX (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALSCX dropped -76.39% vs ALBAX's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.42), 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.