SPECX vs. ACAYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPECX (Alger Spectra Fund) and ACAYX (Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund Class Y) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Alger. Over the past 5 years, SPECX returned 15.81%/yr vs 22.14%/yr for ACAYX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPECX charges 1.39%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for ACAYX.

Performance

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund Class Y (ACAYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPECX achieves a 13.50% return, which is significantly lower than ACAYX's 17.07% return.

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%

ACAYX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 9.76%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 16.59%
• 1Y: 45.94%
• 3Y*: 44.79%
• 5Y*: 22.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	13.50%	29.16%	47.52%	41.34%	-39.37%	12.61%	43.66%	32.15%	-0.82%	18.59%
ACAYX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund Class Y	17.07%	32.26%	70.32%	43.39%	-36.58%	18.80%	42.01%	33.67%	-0.38%	18.92%

Correlation

The correlation between SPECX and ACAYX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2017	0.99

The correlation between SPECX and ACAYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPECX vs. ACAYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

ACAYX

ACAYX Risk / Return Rank: 47
ACAYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ACAYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ACAYX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
ACAYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ACAYX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund Class Y (ACAYX). 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.

	SPECX	ACAYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.24	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.87	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	2.57	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.34	8.54	-2.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPECX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the ACAYX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPECX and ACAYX, 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

	SPECX	ACAYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.24	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.79	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.86	-0.36

Drawdowns

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPECX drawdown since its inception was -72.19%, which is greater than ACAYX's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPECX and ACAYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPECX	ACAYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.19%	-46.37%	-25.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.03%	-18.50%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.91%	-27.75%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.82%	-46.37%	-8.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.36%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.04%	-10.73%	-13.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.31%	5.56%	+0.75%

Volatility

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund Class Y (ACAYX) at 5.09%. This indicates that SPECX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACAYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPECX	ACAYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	5.09%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.64%	16.00%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.82%	21.21%	+0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.67%	28.25%	+4.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.86%	25.82%	+2.04%

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPECX has a 1.39% expense ratio, which is higher than ACAYX's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPECX vs. ACAYX - Dividend Comparison

SPECX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, more than ACAYX's 5.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACAYX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund Class Y	5.67%	6.64%	24.81%	7.76%	3.77%	18.85%	16.28%	10.19%	12.28%	6.73%	0.00%	0.00%
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 SPECX and ACAYX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, SPECX and ACAYX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPECX or ACAYX?

SPECX has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to ACAYX (5.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPECX dropped -72.19% vs ACAYX's -46.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACAYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 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.