SGFFX vs. AVEAX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

SGFFX (Sparrow Growth Fund) and AVEAX (Ave Maria Focused Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, SGFFX returned 6.29%/yr vs 5.56%/yr for AVEAX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SGFFX charges 1.81%/yr vs 1.14%/yr for AVEAX.

Performance

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sparrow Growth Fund (SGFFX) and Ave Maria Focused Fund (AVEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGFFX achieves a 2.69% return, which is significantly lower than AVEAX's 13.61% return.

SGFFX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: -0.05%
• 6M: 3.61%
• YTD: 2.69%
• 1Y: 8.92%
• 3Y*: 18.21%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 15.69%

AVEAX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 1.90%
• 6M: 8.01%
• YTD: 13.61%
• 1Y: 7.25%
• 3Y*: 13.13%
• 5Y*: 5.56%
• 10Y*: —

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

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SGFFX Sparrow Growth Fund	2.69%	14.31%	34.81%	17.02%	-23.36%	-11.00%	87.89%
AVEAX Ave Maria Focused Fund	13.61%	4.71%	11.52%	38.73%	-34.98%	27.98%	24.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SGFFX and AVEAX is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2020	0.64

The correlation between SGFFX and AVEAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SGFFX vs. AVEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGFFX

SGFFX Risk / Return Rank: 10
SGFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
SGFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
SGFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
SGFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
SGFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

AVEAX

AVEAX Risk / Return Rank: 6
AVEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
AVEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
AVEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
AVEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
AVEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sparrow Growth Fund (SGFFX) and Ave Maria Focused Fund (AVEAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SGFFX	AVEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	0.27	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.96	0.51	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.06	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	0.35	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.82	0.88	+0.94

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGFFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is higher than the AVEAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGFFX and AVEAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGFFX drawdown since its inception was -62.10%, which is greater than AVEAX's maximum drawdown of -44.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGFFX and AVEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGFFX	AVEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.10%	-44.09%	-18.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.33%	-15.50%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.29%	-19.91%	-19.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.24%	-44.09%	+3.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.59%	-0.38%	-16.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.15%	-11.37%	-10.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	6.18%	-1.51%

Volatility

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sparrow Growth Fund (SGFFX) is 4.39%, while Ave Maria Focused Fund (AVEAX) has a volatility of 6.59%. This indicates that SGFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGFFX	AVEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	6.59%	-2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.90%	13.96%	-3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.53%	20.03%	-6.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.03%	23.26%	+3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.00%	21.93%	+6.07%

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGFFX has a 1.81% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEAX's 1.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGFFX vs. AVEAX - Dividend Comparison

Neither SGFFX nor AVEAX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEAX Ave Maria Focused Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	4.56%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SGFFX Sparrow Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	18.67%	0.00%	0.67%	1.33%	5.84%	7.33%	0.00%	2.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGFFX and AVEAX in my portfolio?

SGFFX and AVEAX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGFFX or AVEAX?

AVEAX has higher volatility (6.59%) compared to SGFFX (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGFFX dropped -62.10% vs AVEAX's -44.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SGFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs 0.27), 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.