HAMVX vs. ARFFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HAMVX (Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund) and ARFFX (Ariel Focus Fund) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HAMVX returned 10.55%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for ARFFX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HAMVX charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for ARFFX.

Performance

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund (HAMVX) and Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HAMVX achieves a 16.65% return, which is significantly higher than ARFFX's 10.06% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with HAMVX having a 10.55% annualized return and ARFFX not far behind at 10.50%.

HAMVX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 16.65%
• 6M: 17.88%
• 1Y: 35.32%
• 3Y*: 20.77%
• 5Y*: 10.71%
• 10Y*: 10.55%

ARFFX

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 6M: 11.92%
• 1Y: 37.85%
• 3Y*: 17.87%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HAMVX Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund	16.65%	16.00%	12.10%	16.42%	-5.63%	29.93%	-3.77%	22.93%	-17.82%	12.01%
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	10.06%	21.00%	13.39%	6.98%	-9.12%	21.14%	6.90%	25.62%	-13.23%	15.01%

Correlation

The correlation between HAMVX and ARFFX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2005	0.91

The correlation between HAMVX and ARFFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.92 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HAMVX vs. ARFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HAMVX

HAMVX Risk / Return Rank: 86
HAMVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
HAMVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
HAMVX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
HAMVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
HAMVX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

ARFFX

ARFFX Risk / Return Rank: 83
ARFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
ARFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ARFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ARFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ARFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund (HAMVX) and Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX). 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.

	HAMVX	ARFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	2.98	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	4.23	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.52	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.41	4.97	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.16	12.73	+6.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HAMVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is comparable to the ARFFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HAMVX and ARFFX, 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

	HAMVX	ARFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75	2.98	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.37	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.53	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.36	+0.04

Drawdowns

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HAMVX drawdown since its inception was -64.17%, which is greater than ARFFX's maximum drawdown of -57.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HAMVX and ARFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HAMVX	ARFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.17%	-57.66%	-6.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.84%	-8.02%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.04%	-23.39%	+2.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.04%	-24.50%	+3.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.44%	-43.22%	-8.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.84%	+2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.98%	-9.45%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	3.12%	-1.19%

Volatility

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund (HAMVX) and Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) have volatilities of 3.24% and 3.19%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HAMVX	ARFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.24%	3.19%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	9.34%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	13.37%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.83%	18.54%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.90%	19.87%	+2.03%

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HAMVX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than ARFFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

HAMVX vs. ARFFX - Dividend Comparison

HAMVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.43%, less than ARFFX's 11.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	11.52%	12.68%	2.27%	3.33%	8.30%	3.30%	2.41%	1.03%	7.61%	5.76%	1.04%	13.91%
HAMVX Harbor Mid Cap Value Fund	7.43%	8.67%	5.77%	7.20%	8.24%	1.27%	2.35%	3.10%	8.41%	3.84%	3.06%	3.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HAMVX and ARFFX in my portfolio?

HAMVX and ARFFX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HAMVX or ARFFX?

HAMVX has higher volatility (3.24%) compared to ARFFX (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HAMVX dropped -64.17% vs ARFFX's -57.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.98 vs 2.75), 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.