TOWFX vs. VALAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX).

TOWFX is managed by Oelschlager Investments. It was launched on Dec 31, 2019. VALAX is managed by Al Frank. It was launched on May 1, 2006.

Performance

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	2.10%	23.51%	13.22%	12.33%	-2.06%	26.52%	19.46%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	1.54%	23.57%	13.35%	14.05%	-13.50%	24.97%	10.22%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOWFX achieves a 2.10% return, which is significantly higher than VALAX's 1.54% return.

TOWFX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -4.47%
• YTD: 2.10%
• 6M: 9.07%
• 1Y: 20.28%
• 3Y*: 17.02%
• 5Y*: 11.64%
• 10Y*: —

VALAX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: -6.61%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

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

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOWFX has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is lower than VALAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

VALAX

Al Frank Fund

TOWFX

Towpath Focus Fund

Return for Risk

TOWFX vs. VALAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOWFX

TOWFX Risk / Return Rank: 87
TOWFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
TOWFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
TOWFX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
TOWFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
TOWFX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VALAX

VALAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
VALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). 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.

	TOWFX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.63	+0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	2.23	+0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.34	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	2.13	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.75	9.00	+1.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOWFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VALAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOWFX and VALAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TOWFX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76	1.63	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.51	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.39	-0.37

Correlation

The correlation between TOWFX and VALAX is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Dividend Comparison

TOWFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than VALAX's 8.52% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	1.79%	1.82%	1.49%	2.81%	2.05%	5.69%	5.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	8.52%	8.65%	10.32%	5.95%	8.62%	6.83%	7.17%	13.51%	10.73%	10.66%	5.32%	9.53%

Drawdowns

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOWFX drawdown since its inception was -96.18%, which is greater than VALAX's maximum drawdown of -61.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOWFX and VALAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOWFX	VALAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.18%	-61.26%	-34.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.39%	-13.03%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-96.18%	-25.81%	-70.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.95%	-8.56%	-86.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.04%	-10.83%	-10.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	3.08%	-1.27%

Volatility

TOWFX vs. VALAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) is 2.60%, while Al Frank Fund (VALAX) has a volatility of 4.61%. This indicates that TOWFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VALAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TOWFX	VALAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	4.61%	-2.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.60%	10.48%	-3.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.95%	18.57%	-6.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1,084.26%	17.70%	+1,066.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	971.53%	19.29%	+952.24%