SPSCX vs. AVALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPSCX (Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund) and AVALX (Aegis Value Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SPSCX returned 10.34%/yr vs 20.56%/yr for AVALX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPSCX charges 0.81%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for AVALX.

Performance

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund (SPSCX) and Aegis Value Fund (AVALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPSCX achieves a 16.62% return, which is significantly lower than AVALX's 21.92% return. Over the past 10 years, SPSCX has underperformed AVALX with an annualized return of 10.34%, while AVALX has yielded a comparatively higher 20.56% annualized return.

SPSCX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 16.62%
• 6M: 16.26%
• 1Y: 33.10%
• 3Y*: 18.80%
• 5Y*: 9.02%
• 10Y*: 10.34%

AVALX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 1.25%
• YTD: 21.92%
• 6M: 24.36%
• 1Y: 58.85%
• 3Y*: 34.33%
• 5Y*: 21.88%
• 10Y*: 20.56%

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

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSCX Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund	16.62%	8.64%	10.10%	19.36%	-10.99%	43.51%	-5.80%	21.95%	-17.24%	8.89%
AVALX Aegis Value Fund	21.92%	67.06%	8.29%	13.11%	10.50%	37.67%	18.89%	25.67%	-16.95%	17.37%

Correlation

The correlation between SPSCX and AVALX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 1998	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between SPSCX and AVALX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SPSCX vs. AVALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSCX

SPSCX Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SPSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

AVALX

AVALX Risk / Return Rank: 94
AVALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
AVALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
AVALX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
AVALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
AVALX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund (SPSCX) and Aegis Value Fund (AVALX). 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.

	SPSCX	AVALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	3.66	-1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	4.43	-1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.62	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.23	7.34	-3.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.75	25.89	-12.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is lower than the AVALX Sharpe Ratio of 3.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSCX and AVALX, 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

	SPSCX	AVALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	3.66	-1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.99	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.93	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.54	-0.25

Drawdowns

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSCX drawdown since its inception was -74.51%, roughly equal to the maximum AVALX drawdown of -73.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSCX and AVALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSCX	AVALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.51%	-73.72%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.27%	-8.32%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.07%	-13.59%	-11.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.07%	-32.00%	+6.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.12%	-48.34%	-2.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.64%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.89%	-10.95%	-3.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.35%	+0.19%

Volatility

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund (SPSCX) has a higher volatility of 4.44% compared to Aegis Value Fund (AVALX) at 3.09%. This indicates that SPSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPSCX	AVALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	3.09%	+1.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.84%	12.61%	-1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.69%	16.77%	-1.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.47%	22.22%	-1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.20%	22.17%	+1.03%

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSCX has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is lower than AVALX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPSCX vs. AVALX - Dividend Comparison

SPSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.22%, more than AVALX's 1.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVALX Aegis Value Fund	1.92%	2.34%	7.07%	2.23%	0.16%	0.00%	6.62%	2.36%	6.18%	0.00%	1.45%	0.04%
SPSCX Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund	9.22%	10.76%	9.96%	2.03%	9.70%	2.34%	0.91%	1.60%	16.59%	4.44%	1.25%	1.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPSCX and AVALX in my portfolio?

SPSCX and AVALX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPSCX or AVALX?

SPSCX has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to AVALX (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSCX dropped -74.51% vs AVALX's -73.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs 2.23), 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.