VALAX vs. SFLNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VALAX (Al Frank Fund) and SFLNX (Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VALAX returned 14.40%/yr vs 14.26%/yr for SFLNX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VALAX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SFLNX.

Performance

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Al Frank Fund (VALAX) and Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund (SFLNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VALAX achieves a 23.13% return, which is significantly higher than SFLNX's 14.66% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VALAX having a 14.40% annualized return and SFLNX not far behind at 14.26%.

VALAX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: 7.50%
• YTD: 23.13%
• 6M: 24.47%
• 1Y: 52.39%
• 3Y*: 24.89%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.40%

SFLNX

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 4.08%
• YTD: 14.66%
• 6M: 14.73%
• 1Y: 32.46%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 14.26%

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

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VALAX Al Frank Fund	23.13%	23.57%	13.35%	14.05%	-13.50%	24.97%	10.22%	33.98%	-7.87%	18.09%
SFLNX Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund	14.66%	17.02%	16.78%	18.16%	-6.89%	31.64%	9.12%	28.91%	-7.43%	17.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VALAX and SFLNX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2008	0.95

The correlation between VALAX and SFLNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VALAX vs. SFLNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VALAX

VALAX Risk / Return Rank: 96
VALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

SFLNX

SFLNX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SFLNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SFLNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SFLNX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SFLNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SFLNX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Al Frank Fund (VALAX) and Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund (SFLNX). 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.

	VALAX	SFLNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.96	3.23	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.30	4.50	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.59	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.32	5.47	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.24	21.47	+3.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VALAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.96, which is comparable to the SFLNX Sharpe Ratio of 3.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VALAX and SFLNX, 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

	VALAX	SFLNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96	3.23	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.85	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.78	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.53	-0.10

Drawdowns

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VALAX drawdown since its inception was -61.26%, which is greater than SFLNX's maximum drawdown of -56.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VALAX and SFLNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VALAX	SFLNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.26%	-56.18%	-5.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.56%	-6.10%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.81%	-16.27%	-9.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.81%	-18.98%	-6.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.22%	-37.59%	-0.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.75%	-6.01%	-4.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.55%	+0.59%

Volatility

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Volatility Comparison

Al Frank Fund (VALAX) has a higher volatility of 4.18% compared to Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund (SFLNX) at 2.48%. This indicates that VALAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SFLNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VALAX	SFLNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.18%	2.48%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.72%	7.43%	+3.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.67%	10.35%	+3.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.78%	15.26%	+2.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.34%	18.40%	+0.94%

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VALAX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than SFLNX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VALAX vs. SFLNX - Dividend Comparison

VALAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.03%, more than SFLNX's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SFLNX Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund	1.46%	1.68%	1.78%	1.86%	2.09%	4.78%	6.17%	5.33%	9.69%	3.28%	7.23%	5.68%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	7.03%	8.65%	10.32%	5.95%	8.62%	6.83%	7.17%	13.51%	10.73%	10.66%	5.32%	9.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VALAX and SFLNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VALAX and SFLNX 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, VALAX or SFLNX?

VALAX has higher volatility (4.18%) compared to SFLNX (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VALAX dropped -61.26% vs SFLNX's -56.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VALAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 3.23), 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.