APHIX vs. AWPAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

APHIX (Artisan International Fund Institutional Class) and AWPAX (AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, APHIX returned 10.35%/yr vs 6.46%/yr for AWPAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APHIX charges 0.96%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for AWPAX.

Performance

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Artisan International Fund Institutional Class (APHIX) and AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund (AWPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APHIX achieves a 14.80% return, which is significantly higher than AWPAX's 6.58% return. Over the past 10 years, APHIX has outperformed AWPAX with an annualized return of 10.35%, while AWPAX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.46% annualized return.

APHIX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 6M: 15.42%
• 1Y: 25.55%
• 3Y*: 21.92%
• 5Y*: 10.58%
• 10Y*: 10.35%

AWPAX

• 1D: 1.78%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 6.58%
• 6M: 6.68%
• 1Y: 10.99%
• 3Y*: 7.01%
• 5Y*: 1.22%
• 10Y*: 6.46%

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

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
APHIX Artisan International Fund Institutional Class	14.80%	36.49%	10.89%	14.52%	-19.35%	9.10%	7.84%	29.43%	-10.81%	31.25%
AWPAX AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund	6.58%	13.57%	-0.32%	13.09%	-26.80%	9.20%	29.55%	26.88%	-17.50%	34.46%

Correlation

The correlation between APHIX and AWPAX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 1997	0.88

The correlation between APHIX and AWPAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

APHIX vs. AWPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

APHIX

APHIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
APHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
APHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
APHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
APHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
APHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

AWPAX

AWPAX Risk / Return Rank: 8
AWPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
AWPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
AWPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
AWPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
AWPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Artisan International Fund Institutional Class (APHIX) and AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund (AWPAX). 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.

	APHIX	AWPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	0.59	+1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	0.95	+1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.12	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	0.76	+1.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.97	2.80	+6.17

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APHIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the AWPAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APHIX and AWPAX, 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

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APHIX drawdown since its inception was -68.47%, which is greater than AWPAX's maximum drawdown of -63.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APHIX and AWPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	APHIX	AWPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.47%	-63.00%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.77%	-13.44%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.37%	-19.47%	+6.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.73%	-38.13%	+4.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.73%	-38.13%	+4.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.22%	-2.70%	-1.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.04%	-18.75%	-4.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.66%	-0.70%

Volatility

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Artisan International Fund Institutional Class (APHIX) is 5.06%, while AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund (AWPAX) has a volatility of 7.10%. This indicates that APHIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AWPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APHIX	AWPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	7.10%	-2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.64%	15.22%	-2.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.09%	17.29%	-2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.97%	17.57%	-1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.33%	16.90%	-0.57%

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

APHIX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is lower than AWPAX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

APHIX vs. AWPAX - Dividend Comparison

APHIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.71%, while AWPAX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APHIX Artisan International Fund Institutional Class	19.71%	22.63%	10.37%	2.10%	2.84%	23.52%	3.45%	5.44%	10.02%	0.91%	1.50%	0.73%
AWPAX AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.52%	7.00%	1.67%	1.11%	14.44%	0.00%	0.77%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APHIX and AWPAX in my portfolio?

APHIX and AWPAX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APHIX or AWPAX?

AWPAX has higher volatility (7.10%) compared to APHIX (5.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APHIX dropped -68.47% vs AWPAX's -63.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.59), 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.