AWPAX vs. QUASX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AWPAX (AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund) and QUASX (AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio) are both mutual funds - AWPAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by AllianceBernstein, while QUASX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by AllianceBernstein. Over the past 10 years, AWPAX returned 6.54%/yr vs 14.60%/yr for QUASX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AWPAX charges 1.03%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for QUASX.

Performance

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund (AWPAX) and AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (QUASX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWPAX achieves a 7.33% return, which is significantly lower than QUASX's 19.60% return. Over the past 10 years, AWPAX has underperformed QUASX with an annualized return of 6.54%, while QUASX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.60% annualized return.

AWPAX

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 6M: 8.55%
• 1Y: 10.85%
• 3Y*: 8.46%
• 5Y*: 1.12%
• 10Y*: 6.54%

QUASX

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 4.60%
• YTD: 19.60%
• 6M: 18.62%
• 1Y: 32.89%
• 3Y*: 16.48%
• 5Y*: 3.08%
• 10Y*: 14.60%

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

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWPAX AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund	7.33%	13.57%	-0.32%	13.09%	-26.80%	9.20%	29.55%	26.88%	-17.50%	34.46%
QUASX AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio	19.60%	4.85%	18.49%	17.83%	-39.09%	9.76%	53.85%	49.85%	-1.02%	34.71%

Correlation

The correlation between AWPAX and QUASX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 1995	0.67

The correlation between AWPAX and QUASX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AWPAX vs. QUASX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

QUASX

QUASX Risk / Return Rank: 30
QUASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
QUASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
QUASX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
QUASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
QUASX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund (AWPAX) and AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (QUASX). 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.

	AWPAX	QUASX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	1.47	-0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	2.05	-1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.25	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.78	2.32	-1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.90	8.56	-5.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWPAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the QUASX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWPAX and QUASX, 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

	AWPAX	QUASX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	1.47	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.12	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.57	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.39	-0.05

Drawdowns

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWPAX drawdown since its inception was -63.00%, roughly equal to the maximum QUASX drawdown of -60.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWPAX and QUASX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWPAX	QUASX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.00%	-60.97%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.44%	-15.02%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.47%	-31.68%	+12.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.13%	-47.37%	+9.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.13%	-47.37%	+9.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-2.83%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.78%	-15.75%	-3.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.60%	4.05%	-0.45%

Volatility

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Sustainable International Thematic Fund (AWPAX) is 5.75%, while AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio (QUASX) has a volatility of 6.85%. This indicates that AWPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUASX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWPAX	QUASX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	6.85%	-1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.97%	18.63%	-4.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.22%	23.69%	-7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	26.34%	-8.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	25.55%	-8.72%

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWPAX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QUASX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWPAX vs. QUASX - Dividend Comparison

Neither AWPAX nor QUASX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
QUASX AB Small Cap Growth Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.07%	9.86%	18.20%	19.70%	9.29%	2.32%	9.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWPAX and QUASX in my portfolio?

AWPAX and QUASX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWPAX or QUASX?

QUASX has higher volatility (6.85%) compared to AWPAX (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWPAX dropped -63.00% vs QUASX's -60.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUASX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 0.65), 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.