AOFIX vs. PNSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AOFIX (Alger Small Cap Focus Fund) and PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, AOFIX returned 9.09%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for PNSAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AOFIX charges 1.14%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for PNSAX.

Performance

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AOFIX achieves a 9.65% return, which is significantly lower than PNSAX's 19.33% return. Over the past 10 years, AOFIX has underperformed PNSAX with an annualized return of 9.09%, while PNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.74% annualized return.

AOFIX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 7.51%
• YTD: 9.65%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 30.71%
• 3Y*: 12.46%
• 5Y*: -3.35%
• 10Y*: 9.09%

PNSAX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 19.33%
• 6M: 17.46%
• 1Y: 30.89%
• 3Y*: 21.22%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

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

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AOFIX Alger Small Cap Focus Fund	9.65%	6.96%	13.76%	9.88%	-37.62%	-14.06%	53.29%	24.16%	14.16%	27.72%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	19.33%	8.91%	22.98%	22.87%	-28.10%	14.38%	47.65%	37.60%	-2.46%	20.19%

Correlation

The correlation between AOFIX and PNSAX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2008	0.92

The correlation between AOFIX and PNSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AOFIX vs. PNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AOFIX

AOFIX Risk / Return Rank: 21
AOFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
AOFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
AOFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
AOFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
AOFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

PNSAX

PNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
PNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. PNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). 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.

	AOFIX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.44	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	2.06	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	2.33	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.61	8.14	-2.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AOFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the PNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AOFIX and PNSAX, 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

	AOFIX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31	1.44	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12	0.43	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.67	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.44	-0.16

Drawdowns

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AOFIX drawdown since its inception was -60.19%, smaller than the maximum PNSAX drawdown of -69.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AOFIX and PNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AOFIX	PNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.19%	-69.47%	+9.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.88%	-14.00%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.97%	-26.25%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.64%	-38.77%	-16.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.19%	-38.77%	-21.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.85%	-1.44%	-31.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.42%	-23.55%	+4.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.00%	3.99%	+2.01%

Volatility

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Small Cap Focus Fund (AOFIX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) have volatilities of 8.33% and 8.08%, 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

	AOFIX	PNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.33%	8.08%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.03%	18.35%	+1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.74%	22.60%	+3.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.05%	23.23%	+4.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.32%	23.59%	+2.73%

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AOFIX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is lower than PNSAX's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

AOFIX vs. PNSAX - Dividend Comparison

AOFIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PNSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AOFIX Alger Small Cap Focus Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	6.94%	0.00%	2.36%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	0.36%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.27%	4.87%	1.93%	1.88%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AOFIX and PNSAX in my portfolio?

AOFIX and PNSAX have a correlation of 0.87, 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 PNSAX?

AOFIX has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to PNSAX (8.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AOFIX dropped -60.19% vs PNSAX's -69.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.31), 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.