SPECX vs. ALAFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPECX (Alger Spectra Fund) and ALAFX (Alger Focus Equity A Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Alger. Over the past 10 years, SPECX returned 17.90%/yr vs 21.84%/yr for ALAFX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPECX charges 1.39%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for ALAFX.

Performance

SPECX vs. ALAFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPECX achieves a 14.35% return, which is significantly lower than ALAFX's 17.77% return. Over the past 10 years, SPECX has underperformed ALAFX with an annualized return of 17.90%, while ALAFX has yielded a comparatively higher 21.84% annualized return.

SPECX

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 10.56%
• YTD: 14.35%
• 6M: 13.71%
• 1Y: 40.90%
• 3Y*: 35.21%
• 5Y*: 15.63%
• 10Y*: 17.90%

ALAFX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 10.45%
• YTD: 17.77%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 52.91%
• 3Y*: 41.84%
• 5Y*: 20.67%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

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

SPECX vs. ALAFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	14.35%	29.16%	47.52%	41.34%	-39.37%	12.61%	43.66%	32.15%	-0.82%	31.11%
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	17.77%	39.65%	51.72%	44.15%	-35.95%	20.00%	45.73%	33.84%	1.33%	28.70%

Correlation

The correlation between SPECX and ALAFX 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	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.99

The correlation between SPECX and ALAFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPECX vs. ALAFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPECX

SPECX Risk / Return Rank: 35
SPECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
SPECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SPECX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SPECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SPECX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

ALAFX

ALAFX Risk / Return Rank: 61
ALAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
ALAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
ALAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ALAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
ALAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. ALAFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) and Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX). 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	ALAFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.57	-0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	3.22	-0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	3.09	-0.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.67	10.53	-3.85
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. ALAFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPECX Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the ALAFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPECX and ALAFX, 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	ALAFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	2.57	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.79	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.91	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.90	-0.40

Drawdowns

SPECX vs. ALAFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPECX drawdown since its inception was -72.19%, which is greater than ALAFX's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPECX and ALAFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPECX	ALAFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.19%	-43.65%	-28.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.03%	-17.58%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.91%	-26.96%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.82%	-43.65%	-11.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.82%	-43.65%	-11.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.04%	-7.69%	-16.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.31%	5.16%	+1.15%

Volatility

SPECX vs. ALAFX - Volatility Comparison

Alger Spectra Fund (SPECX) has a higher volatility of 5.53% compared to Alger Focus Equity A Fund (ALAFX) at 4.92%. This indicates that SPECX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALAFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPECX	ALAFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	4.92%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.63%	16.02%	+0.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.85%	21.40%	+0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.66%	26.17%	+6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.85%	23.99%	+3.86%

SPECX vs. ALAFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPECX has a 1.39% expense ratio, which is higher than ALAFX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPECX vs. ALAFX - Dividend Comparison

SPECX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.53%, less than ALAFX's 6.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALAFX Alger Focus Equity A Fund	6.72%	7.91%	0.00%	0.10%	0.06%	14.09%	6.28%	1.98%	5.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPECX Alger Spectra Fund	6.53%	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 ALAFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, SPECX and ALAFX 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 ALAFX?

SPECX has higher volatility (5.53%) compared to ALAFX (4.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPECX dropped -72.19% vs ALAFX's -43.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.95), 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.