CAAPX vs. CISMX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CAAPX (Ariel Appreciation Fund) and CISMX (Clarkston Partners Fund) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, CAAPX returned 8.50%/yr vs 6.08%/yr for CISMX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CAAPX charges 1.12%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for CISMX.

Performance

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ariel Appreciation Fund (CAAPX) and Clarkston Partners Fund (CISMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAAPX achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than CISMX's 0.56% return. Over the past 10 years, CAAPX has outperformed CISMX with an annualized return of 8.50%, while CISMX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.08% annualized return.

CAAPX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 13.66%
• 1Y: 33.53%
• 3Y*: 11.85%
• 5Y*: 4.71%
• 10Y*: 8.50%

CISMX

• 1D: 2.09%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 1.29%
• 1Y: 1.60%
• 3Y*: 0.32%
• 5Y*: -1.70%
• 10Y*: 6.08%

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

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAAPX Ariel Appreciation Fund	9.51%	11.04%	6.07%	10.58%	-12.27%	25.72%	7.42%	24.58%	-13.93%	15.24%
CISMX Clarkston Partners Fund	0.56%	-8.37%	4.49%	6.41%	-0.40%	7.94%	17.42%	23.98%	-7.25%	12.84%

Correlation

The correlation between CAAPX and CISMX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2015	0.87

The correlation between CAAPX and CISMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CAAPX vs. CISMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAAPX

CAAPX Risk / Return Rank: 40
CAAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CAAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
CAAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
CAAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
CAAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

CISMX

CISMX Risk / Return Rank: 3
CISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ariel Appreciation Fund (CAAPX) and Clarkston Partners Fund (CISMX). 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.

	CAAPX	CISMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	0.05	+1.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	0.20	+2.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.02	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	0.07	+2.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.40	0.16	+8.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAAPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the CISMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAAPX and CISMX, 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

	CAAPX	CISMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	0.05	+1.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	-0.10	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.33	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.37	+0.14

Drawdowns

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAAPX drawdown since its inception was -61.92%, which is greater than CISMX's maximum drawdown of -33.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAAPX and CISMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAAPX	CISMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.92%	-33.80%	-28.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.70%	-10.54%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	-21.19%	-6.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.40%	-21.19%	-12.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.58%	-33.80%	-8.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.31%	-13.93%	+12.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.06%	-6.69%	-1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.79%	4.66%	-0.87%

Volatility

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ariel Appreciation Fund (CAAPX) is 4.16%, while Clarkston Partners Fund (CISMX) has a volatility of 4.71%. This indicates that CAAPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CISMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAAPX	CISMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	4.71%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.73%	12.67%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.13%	17.06%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.25%	17.47%	+4.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.17%	18.29%	+3.88%

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAAPX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than CISMX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAAPX vs. CISMX - Dividend Comparison

CAAPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.75%, more than CISMX's 4.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAAPX Ariel Appreciation Fund	11.75%	12.86%	6.11%	6.31%	10.51%	14.21%	9.85%	7.58%	7.37%	12.53%	7.88%	12.05%
CISMX Clarkston Partners Fund	4.63%	4.65%	1.05%	3.76%	16.95%	0.81%	3.73%	3.79%	7.15%	1.30%	1.17%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAAPX and CISMX in my portfolio?

CAAPX and CISMX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAAPX or CISMX?

CISMX has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to CAAPX (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAAPX dropped -61.92% vs CISMX's -33.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.05), 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.