ALZFX vs. ALARX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALZFX (Alger Focus Equity Fund Class Z) and ALARX (Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Alger. Over the past 10 years, ALZFX returned 22.17%/yr vs 19.80%/yr for ALARX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ALZFX charges 0.63%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for ALARX.

Performance

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Focus Equity Fund Class Z (ALZFX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ALZFX having a 17.28% return and ALARX slightly lower at 16.87%. Over the past 10 years, ALZFX has outperformed ALARX with an annualized return of 22.17%, while ALARX has yielded a comparatively lower 19.80% annualized return.

ALZFX

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 8.97%
• YTD: 17.28%
• 6M: 16.89%
• 1Y: 50.75%
• 3Y*: 42.04%
• 5Y*: 21.20%
• 10Y*: 22.17%

ALARX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 9.73%
• YTD: 16.87%
• 6M: 16.37%
• 1Y: 45.38%
• 3Y*: 38.23%
• 5Y*: 18.60%
• 10Y*: 19.80%

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

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALZFX Alger Focus Equity Fund Class Z	17.28%	40.08%	52.22%	44.63%	-35.75%	20.37%	46.19%	34.29%	1.68%	29.12%
ALARX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund	16.87%	31.75%	49.44%	42.82%	-36.88%	18.38%	41.50%	33.13%	-0.82%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between ALZFX and ALARX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.99

The correlation between ALZFX and ALARX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALZFX vs. ALARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALZFX

ALZFX Risk / Return Rank: 58
ALZFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ALZFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ALZFX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
ALZFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ALZFX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

ALARX

ALARX Risk / Return Rank: 46
ALARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ALARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ALARX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ALARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
ALARX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Focus Equity Fund Class Z (ALZFX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX). 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.

	ALZFX	ALARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.21	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.83	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.52	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	8.34	+1.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALZFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the ALARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALZFX and ALARX, 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

	ALZFX	ALARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.21	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.67	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.80	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.50	+0.42

Drawdowns

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALZFX drawdown since its inception was -43.22%, smaller than the maximum ALARX drawdown of -68.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALZFX and ALARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALZFX	ALARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.22%	-68.32%	+25.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.45%	-18.65%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.93%	-27.77%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.22%	-46.86%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.22%	-46.86%	+3.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.35%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.53%	-20.97%	+13.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.11%	5.62%	-0.51%

Volatility

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Focus Equity Fund Class Z (ALZFX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX) have volatilities of 5.00% and 5.09%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALZFX	ALARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	5.09%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.02%	16.02%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	21.24%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.09%	27.83%	-1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.94%	24.79%	-0.85%

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALZFX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than ALARX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALZFX vs. ALARX - Dividend Comparison

ALZFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.42%, more than ALARX's 5.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALARX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund	5.98%	6.99%	13.06%	8.09%	3.90%	19.40%	16.62%	10.34%	12.39%	6.75%	0.00%	7.71%
ALZFX Alger Focus Equity Fund Class Z	6.42%	7.53%	0.00%	0.12%	0.10%	13.63%	6.16%	2.21%	5.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALZFX and ALARX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ALZFX and ALARX 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, ALZFX or ALARX?

ALARX has higher volatility (5.09%) compared to ALZFX (5.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALZFX dropped -43.22% vs ALARX's -68.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALZFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.21), 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.