AOFIX vs. EMCAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AOFIX (Alger Small Cap Focus Fund) and EMCAX (Empiric 2500 Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, AOFIX returned 9.73%/yr vs 10.97%/yr for EMCAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AOFIX charges 1.14%/yr vs 1.96%/yr for EMCAX.

Performance

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX) and Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AOFIX achieves a 15.97% return, which is significantly higher than EMCAX's 13.26% return. Over the past 10 years, AOFIX has underperformed EMCAX with an annualized return of 9.73%, while EMCAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.97% annualized return.

AOFIX

• 1D: 2.16%
• 1M: 9.26%
• YTD: 15.97%
• 6M: 11.99%
• 1Y: 37.64%
• 3Y*: 14.06%
• 5Y*: -3.34%
• 10Y*: 9.73%

EMCAX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 3.08%
• YTD: 13.26%
• 6M: 10.29%
• 1Y: 19.95%
• 3Y*: 12.53%
• 5Y*: 4.83%
• 10Y*: 10.97%

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

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AOFIX Alger Small Cap Focus Fund	15.97%	6.96%	13.76%	9.88%	-37.62%	-14.06%	53.29%	24.16%	14.16%	27.72%
EMCAX Empiric 2500 Fund	13.26%	2.37%	13.89%	12.43%	-16.06%	16.07%	27.81%	19.10%	-4.64%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between AOFIX and EMCAX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2008	0.82

The correlation between AOFIX and EMCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.82 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AOFIX vs. EMCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AOFIX

AOFIX Risk / Return Rank: 27
AOFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
AOFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
AOFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
AOFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
AOFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

EMCAX

EMCAX Risk / Return Rank: 33
EMCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
EMCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
EMCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
EMCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
EMCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX) and Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX). 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.

	AOFIX	EMCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.39	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	2.08	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	2.33	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.18	8.73	-2.55

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AOFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the EMCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AOFIX and EMCAX, 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

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AOFIX drawdown since its inception was -60.19%, which is greater than EMCAX's maximum drawdown of -51.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AOFIX and EMCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AOFIX	EMCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.19%	-51.81%	-8.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.88%	-8.60%	-11.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.97%	-19.19%	-12.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.64%	-30.60%	-25.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.19%	-42.79%	-17.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.98%	-1.48%	-27.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.45%	-13.25%	-6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.00%	2.29%	+3.71%

Volatility

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX) has a higher volatility of 8.88% compared to Empiric 2500 Fund (EMCAX) at 4.03%. This indicates that AOFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AOFIX	EMCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.88%	4.03%	+4.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.87%	11.57%	+9.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.48%	14.45%	+12.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.21%	18.19%	+10.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.40%	20.24%	+6.16%

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AOFIX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is lower than EMCAX's 1.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

AOFIX vs. EMCAX - Dividend Comparison

AOFIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EMCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AOFIX Alger Small Cap Focus Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.94%	0.00%	2.36%	0.85%
EMCAX Empiric 2500 Fund	0.12%	0.13%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	7.46%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AOFIX and EMCAX in my portfolio?

AOFIX and EMCAX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AOFIX or EMCAX?

AOFIX has higher volatility (8.88%) compared to EMCAX (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AOFIX dropped -60.19% vs EMCAX's -51.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AOFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.39), 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.