ARDGX vs. VALAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX).

ARDGX is managed by Archer. It was launched on Sep 1, 2016. VALAX is managed by Al Frank. It was launched on May 1, 2006.

Performance

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Performance Comparison

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

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARDGX Archer Dividend Growth Fund	6.03%	12.86%	13.94%	0.40%	0.27%	25.41%	-7.58%	17.89%	-5.91%	8.92%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	1.54%	23.57%	13.35%	14.05%	-13.50%	24.97%	10.22%	33.98%	-7.87%	16.93%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARDGX achieves a 6.03% return, which is significantly higher than VALAX's 1.54% return.

ARDGX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -3.94%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 7.96%
• 1Y: 15.28%
• 3Y*: 11.81%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: —

VALAX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: -6.61%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

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

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARDGX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is lower than VALAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

VALAX

Al Frank Fund

ARDGX

Archer Dividend Growth Fund

Return for Risk

ARDGX vs. VALAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARDGX

ARDGX Risk / Return Rank: 72
ARDGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ARDGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ARDGX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
ARDGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ARDGX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VALAX

VALAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
VALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. VALAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). 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.

	ARDGX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.63	-0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.23	-0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.56	2.13	-0.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	9.00	-2.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARDGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the VALAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARDGX and VALAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARDGX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31	1.63	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00	0.51	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.00	0.39	-0.38

Correlation

The correlation between ARDGX and VALAX is 0.84, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Dividend Comparison

ARDGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, less than VALAX's 8.52% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARDGX Archer Dividend Growth Fund	2.40%	2.09%	2.74%	2.87%	2.38%	1.93%	3.04%	2.85%	3.07%	2.66%	0.00%	0.00%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	8.52%	8.65%	10.32%	5.95%	8.62%	6.83%	7.17%	13.51%	10.73%	10.66%	5.32%	9.53%

Drawdowns

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARDGX drawdown since its inception was -97.41%, which is greater than VALAX's maximum drawdown of -61.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARDGX and VALAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARDGX	VALAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.41%	-61.26%	-36.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.19%	-13.03%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.41%	-25.81%	-71.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.67%	-8.56%	-88.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.05%	-10.83%	-6.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	3.08%	-0.80%

Volatility

ARDGX vs. VALAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) is 2.65%, while Al Frank Fund (VALAX) has a volatility of 4.61%. This indicates that ARDGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VALAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARDGX	VALAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	4.61%	-1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.45%	10.48%	-4.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.58%	18.57%	-5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2,087.08%	17.70%	+2,069.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1,535.56%	19.29%	+1,516.27%