SLMCX vs. SPECX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLMCX (Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund) and SPECX (Alger Spectra Fund) are both mutual funds - SLMCX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Columbia, while SPECX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, SLMCX returned 28.01%/yr vs 17.81%/yr for SPECX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SLMCX charges 1.17%/yr vs 1.39%/yr for SPECX.

Performance

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund (SLMCX) and Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLMCX achieves a 58.65% return, which is significantly higher than SPECX's 13.50% return. Over the past 10 years, SLMCX has outperformed SPECX with an annualized return of 28.01%, while SPECX has yielded a comparatively lower 17.81% annualized return.

SLMCX

• 1D: 3.67%
• 1M: 15.56%
• YTD: 58.65%
• 6M: 55.34%
• 1Y: 126.30%
• 3Y*: 47.62%
• 5Y*: 26.81%
• 10Y*: 28.01%

SPECX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 8.72%
• YTD: 13.50%
• 6M: 13.17%
• 1Y: 38.92%
• 3Y*: 34.88%
• 5Y*: 15.81%
• 10Y*: 17.81%

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

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLMCX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund	58.65%	37.32%	26.67%	44.27%	-31.14%	38.97%	44.45%	54.15%	-8.12%	34.08%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	13.50%	29.16%	47.52%	41.34%	-39.37%	12.61%	43.66%	32.15%	-0.82%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between SLMCX and SPECX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1995	0.86

The correlation between SLMCX and SPECX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SLMCX vs. SPECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLMCX

SLMCX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SLMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SLMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SLMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
SLMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SLMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

SPECX

SPECX Risk / Return Rank: 32
SPECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SPECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
SPECX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
SPECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
SPECX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund (SLMCX) and Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX). 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.

	SLMCX	SPECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.03	1.84	+3.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.23	2.41	+2.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	1.30	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.65	2.00	+8.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	41.17	6.34	+34.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLMCX Sharpe Ratio is 5.03, which is higher than the SPECX Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLMCX and SPECX, 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

	SLMCX	SPECX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.03	1.84	+3.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.03	0.49	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.08	0.64	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.50	+0.23

Drawdowns

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLMCX drawdown since its inception was -68.10%, smaller than the maximum SPECX drawdown of -72.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLMCX and SPECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLMCX	SPECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.10%	-72.19%	+4.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.33%	-20.03%	+7.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.13%	-27.91%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.32%	-54.82%	+17.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	-54.82%	+17.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.74%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.00%	-24.04%	+11.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	6.31%	-3.13%

Volatility

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund (SLMCX) has a higher volatility of 7.25% compared to Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) at 5.63%. This indicates that SLMCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPECX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLMCX	SPECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.25%	5.63%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.07%	16.64%	+3.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.09%	21.82%	+4.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.21%	32.67%	-6.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.14%	27.86%	-1.72%

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLMCX has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is lower than SPECX's 1.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLMCX vs. SPECX - Dividend Comparison

SLMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.96%, less than SPECX's 6.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SLMCX Columbia Seligman Technology and Information Fund	5.96%	9.45%	14.27%	5.16%	9.42%	11.75%	10.40%	11.44%	12.33%	11.15%	8.19%	10.79%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	6.58%	7.47%	6.49%	0.00%	2.70%	34.41%	9.19%	7.20%	12.09%	6.14%	0.00%	8.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLMCX and SPECX in my portfolio?

SLMCX and SPECX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLMCX or SPECX?

SLMCX has higher volatility (7.25%) compared to SPECX (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLMCX dropped -68.10% vs SPECX's -72.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.03 vs 1.84), 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.