FESCX vs. AVALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FESCX (First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund) and AVALX (Aegis Value Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, FESCX returned 18.08%/yr vs 33.77%/yr for AVALX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FESCX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for AVALX.

Performance

FESCX vs. AVALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) and Aegis Value Fund (AVALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FESCX achieves a 23.60% return, which is significantly higher than AVALX's 20.38% return.

FESCX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 23.60%
• 6M: 25.52%
• 1Y: 50.55%
• 3Y*: 18.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVALX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: -0.58%
• YTD: 20.38%
• 6M: 25.01%
• 1Y: 58.74%
• 3Y*: 33.77%
• 5Y*: 21.17%
• 10Y*: 20.40%

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

FESCX vs. AVALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	23.60%	13.33%	6.47%	16.75%	-14.05%	1.23%
AVALX Aegis Value Fund	20.38%	67.06%	8.29%	13.11%	10.50%	2.95%

Correlation

The correlation between FESCX and AVALX is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2021	0.62

The correlation between FESCX and AVALX shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FESCX vs. AVALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FESCX

FESCX Risk / Return Rank: 80
FESCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FESCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FESCX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
FESCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FESCX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

AVALX

AVALX Risk / Return Rank: 94
AVALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AVALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
AVALX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
AVALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
AVALX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

FESCX vs. AVALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) and Aegis Value Fund (AVALX). 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.

	FESCX	AVALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	3.70	-1.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	4.47	-0.83
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.63	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.87	7.30	-2.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.63	25.81	-8.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FESCX vs. AVALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FESCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is comparable to the AVALX Sharpe Ratio of 3.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FESCX and AVALX, 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

	FESCX	AVALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65	3.70	-1.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.96	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.54	-0.14

Drawdowns

FESCX vs. AVALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FESCX drawdown since its inception was -28.53%, smaller than the maximum AVALX drawdown of -73.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FESCX and AVALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FESCX	AVALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.53%	-73.72%	+45.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.26%	-8.32%	-1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.53%	-13.59%	-14.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.00%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-1.89%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.85%	-10.95%	+2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.35%	+0.48%

Volatility

FESCX vs. AVALX - Volatility Comparison

First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) has a higher volatility of 5.35% compared to Aegis Value Fund (AVALX) at 2.82%. This indicates that FESCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FESCX	AVALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.35%	2.82%	+2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.47%	12.73%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.26%	16.77%	+2.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.65%	22.23%	+0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.65%	22.17%	+0.48%

FESCX vs. AVALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FESCX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than AVALX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FESCX vs. AVALX - Dividend Comparison

FESCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than AVALX's 1.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVALX Aegis Value Fund	1.94%	2.34%	7.07%	2.23%	0.16%	0.00%	6.62%	2.36%	6.18%	0.00%	1.45%	0.04%
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	0.84%	1.03%	1.56%	0.60%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FESCX and AVALX in my portfolio?

FESCX and AVALX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FESCX or AVALX?

FESCX has higher volatility (5.35%) compared to AVALX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FESCX dropped -28.53% vs AVALX's -73.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.70 vs 2.65), 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.