ALTFX vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALTFX (AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund) and VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ALTFX returned 2.92%/yr vs 11.34%/yr for VTWAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALTFX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTWAX.

Performance

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund (ALTFX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALTFX achieves a 5.73% return, which is significantly lower than VTWAX's 13.15% return.

ALTFX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 5.67%
• YTD: 5.73%
• 6M: 4.98%
• 1Y: 9.72%
• 3Y*: 8.78%
• 5Y*: 2.92%
• 10Y*: 11.46%

VTWAX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 13.15%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: 30.29%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ALTFX AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund	5.73%	6.22%	5.94%	15.97%	-27.19%	22.64%	39.40%	24.17%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.15%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between ALTFX and VTWAX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.93

The correlation between ALTFX and VTWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALTFX vs. VTWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALTFX

ALTFX Risk / Return Rank: 8
ALTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
ALTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
ALTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
ALTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ALTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund (ALTFX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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.

	ALTFX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.49	-1.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	3.41	-2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.45	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	3.19	-2.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.94	14.26	-12.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALTFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALTFX and VTWAX, 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

	ALTFX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	2.49	-1.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.73	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.77	-0.49

Drawdowns

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALTFX drawdown since its inception was -80.01%, which is greater than VTWAX's maximum drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTFX and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALTFX	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.01%	-34.20%	-45.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.81%	-9.64%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.92%	-16.43%	-6.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.87%	-26.40%	-9.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	0.00%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.95%	-5.30%	-31.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	2.15%	+3.13%

Volatility

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund (ALTFX) has a higher volatility of 4.89% compared to Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) at 3.55%. This indicates that ALTFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALTFX	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	3.55%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.56%	9.82%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	12.37%	+2.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.19%	15.71%	+2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	18.20%	-0.15%

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALTFX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALTFX vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

ALTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.80%, more than VTWAX's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ALTFX AB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund	12.80%	13.53%	8.18%	0.03%	2.61%	9.99%	7.23%	6.01%	8.36%	0.00%	4.05%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.56%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALTFX and VTWAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ALTFX and VTWAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ALTFX or VTWAX?

ALTFX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to VTWAX (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALTFX dropped -80.01% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.71), 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.