ARDGX vs. HTGC

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ARDGX (Archer Dividend Growth Fund) is Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Archer, while HTGC (Hercules Capital, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, ARDGX returned 9.94%/yr vs 10.00%/yr for HTGC. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) and Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARDGX achieves a 14.93% return, which is significantly higher than HTGC's -10.43% return.

ARDGX

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 1.29%
• 6M: 12.63%
• YTD: 14.93%
• 1Y: 22.49%
• 3Y*: 15.53%
• 5Y*: 9.94%
• 10Y*: —

HTGC

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 2.71%
• 6M: -9.71%
• YTD: -10.43%
• 1Y: -6.34%
• 3Y*: 10.93%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 13.46%

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

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARDGX Archer Dividend Growth Fund	14.93%	12.86%	13.94%	0.40%	0.27%	25.41%	-7.58%	17.89%	-5.91%	8.92%
HTGC Hercules Capital, Inc.	-10.43%	3.54%	33.33%	42.91%	-10.42%	26.50%	14.49%	39.86%	-6.86%	1.86%

Correlation

The correlation between ARDGX and HTGC is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between ARDGX and HTGC has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ARDGX vs. HTGC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARDGX

ARDGX Risk / Return Rank: 89
ARDGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
ARDGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ARDGX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
ARDGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
ARDGX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

HTGC

HTGC Risk / Return Rank: 33
HTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
HTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
HTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 29
HTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
HTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) and Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC). 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.

	ARDGX	HTGC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	-0.27	+2.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	-0.22	+3.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	0.97	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.08	-0.26	+4.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.15	-0.55	+16.70

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARDGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the HTGC Sharpe Ratio of -0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARDGX and HTGC, 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

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARDGX drawdown since its inception was -76.19%, which is greater than HTGC's maximum drawdown of -68.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARDGX and HTGC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARDGX	HTGC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.19%	-68.21%	-7.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.35%	-24.74%	+19.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-76.19%	-27.97%	-48.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-76.19%	-36.11%	-40.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-66.90%	-15.31%	-51.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.28%	-10.89%	-4.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.36%	11.55%	-10.19%

Volatility

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) is 3.66%, while Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) has a volatility of 4.97%. This indicates that ARDGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HTGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARDGX	HTGC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	4.97%	-1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.03%	20.23%	-13.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.30%	23.56%	-14.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	130.12%	25.82%	+104.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.11%	27.88%	+67.23%

Dividends

ARDGX vs. HTGC - Dividend Comparison

ARDGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, less than HTGC's 11.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARDGX Archer Dividend Growth Fund	2.42%	2.09%	2.74%	2.87%	2.38%	1.93%	3.04%	2.85%	3.07%	2.66%	0.00%	0.00%
HTGC Hercules Capital, Inc.	11.37%	9.99%	9.56%	11.40%	13.77%	9.76%	9.02%	9.49%	11.40%	9.45%	8.79%	10.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARDGX and HTGC in my portfolio?

ARDGX and HTGC have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARDGX or HTGC?

HTGC has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to ARDGX (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARDGX dropped -76.19% vs HTGC's -68.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARDGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs -0.27), 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.