VGHCX vs. AHSAX
VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) and AHSAX (Alger Health Sciences Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX returned 9.48%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for AHSAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGHCX charges 0.33%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for AHSAX.
Performance
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGHCX achieves a 3.09% return, which is significantly lower than AHSAX's 15.70% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VGHCX having a 9.48% annualized return and AHSAX not far ahead at 9.85%.
VGHCX
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- 3.97%
- 6M
- 1.42%
- YTD
- 3.09%
- 1Y
- 25.29%
- 3Y*
- 11.66%
- 5Y*
- 7.88%
- 10Y*
- 9.48%
AHSAX
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 12.88%
- 6M
- 12.54%
- YTD
- 15.70%
- 1Y
- 45.10%
- 3Y*
- 7.93%
- 5Y*
- 0.09%
- 10Y*
- 9.85%
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | 3.09% | 19.63% | 8.99% | 5.46% | -1.05% | 14.36% | 12.57% | 22.93% | 1.03% | 19.59% |
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund | 15.70% | 10.14% | 1.17% | -4.26% | -17.04% | 3.26% | 30.99% | 22.02% | 5.71% | 33.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGHCX and AHSAX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2003 | 0.84 |
The correlation between VGHCX and AHSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGHCX vs. AHSAX — Risk / Return Rank
VGHCX
AHSAX
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VGHCX | AHSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.48 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.90 | 4.73 | -1.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.70 | 15.29 | -7.59 |
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Drawdowns
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGHCX drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, smaller than the maximum AHSAX drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHCX and AHSAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGHCX | AHSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.93% | -46.23% | +9.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.20% | -9.67% | +0.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.08% | -23.11% | +7.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.95% | -45.04% | +28.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.18% | -45.04% | +17.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.70% | -15.85% | +11.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.24% | -14.74% | +9.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.46% | 2.99% | +0.47% |
Volatility
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Alger Health Sciences Fund (AHSAX) have volatilities of 5.46% and 5.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGHCX | AHSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.46% | 5.38% | +0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.54% | 12.93% | -1.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.61% | 16.39% | -0.78% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.37% | 24.26% | -5.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.65% | 23.34% | -5.69% |
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGHCX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than AHSAX's 1.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGHCX vs. AHSAX - Dividend Comparison
VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.41%, while AHSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AHSAX Alger Health Sciences Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 27.18% | 11.68% | 6.98% | 7.82% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | 6.41% | 6.00% | 22.72% | 7.17% | 5.44% | 8.31% | 7.96% | 11.82% | 9.10% | 7.30% | 8.54% | 8.16% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGHCX and AHSAX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGHCX has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to AHSAX (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHCX dropped -36.93% vs AHSAX's -46.23%.
AHSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 1.73), 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.
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