WSTCX vs. ALARX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WSTCX (Delaware Ivy Science and Technology Fund) and ALARX (Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund) are both mutual funds - WSTCX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Ivy Funds, while ALARX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Alger. Over the past 10 years, WSTCX returned 27.56%/yr vs 19.85%/yr for ALARX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WSTCX charges 2.14%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for ALARX.

Performance

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy Science and Technology Fund (WSTCX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WSTCX achieves a 39.92% return, which is significantly higher than ALARX's 17.28% return. Over the past 10 years, WSTCX has outperformed ALARX with an annualized return of 27.56%, while ALARX has yielded a comparatively lower 19.85% annualized return.

WSTCX

• 1D: 2.25%
• 1M: 14.95%
• YTD: 39.92%
• 6M: 40.74%
• 1Y: 75.87%
• 3Y*: 67.30%
• 5Y*: 31.97%
• 10Y*: 27.56%

ALARX

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: 11.08%
• YTD: 17.28%
• 6M: 16.47%
• 1Y: 47.24%
• 3Y*: 38.39%
• 5Y*: 18.42%
• 10Y*: 19.85%

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

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WSTCX Delaware Ivy Science and Technology Fund	39.92%	32.86%	117.81%	39.18%	-33.22%	12.80%	35.09%	49.22%	-5.97%	31.79%
ALARX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund	17.28%	31.75%	49.44%	42.82%	-36.88%	18.38%	41.50%	33.13%	-0.82%	31.11%

Correlation

The correlation between WSTCX and ALARX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 1997	0.90

The correlation between WSTCX and ALARX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WSTCX vs. ALARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WSTCX

WSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 86
WSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
WSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
WSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
WSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
WSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

ALARX

ALARX Risk / Return Rank: 48
ALARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
ALARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ALARX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ALARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
ALARX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Ivy Science and Technology Fund (WSTCX) and Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX). 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.

	WSTCX	ALARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.30	2.31	+0.98
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	2.94	+0.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.37	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.57	2.61	+1.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.73	8.66	+8.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSTCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.30, which is higher than the ALARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSTCX and ALARX, 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

	WSTCX	ALARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30	2.31	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.67	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.80	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.50	-0.02

Drawdowns

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSTCX drawdown since its inception was -60.92%, smaller than the maximum ALARX drawdown of -68.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSTCX and ALARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSTCX	ALARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.92%	-68.32%	+7.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.84%	-18.65%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.66%	-27.77%	-16.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-60.92%	-46.86%	-14.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.92%	-46.86%	-14.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.40%	-20.97%	+2.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.60%	5.62%	-1.02%

Volatility

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Volatility Comparison

Delaware Ivy Science and Technology Fund (WSTCX) has a higher volatility of 7.16% compared to Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund (ALARX) at 5.07%. This indicates that WSTCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WSTCX	ALARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.16%	5.07%	+2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.79%	16.03%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.87%	21.28%	+2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.45%	27.83%	+46.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	55.04%	24.79%	+30.25%

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSTCX has a 2.14% expense ratio, which is higher than ALARX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSTCX vs. ALARX - Dividend Comparison

WSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.54%, more than ALARX's 5.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALARX Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Fund	5.96%	6.99%	13.06%	8.09%	3.90%	19.40%	16.62%	10.34%	12.39%	6.75%	0.00%	7.71%
WSTCX Delaware Ivy Science and Technology Fund	9.54%	13.35%	81.76%	21.98%	57.60%	61.50%	11.27%	13.85%	16.72%	7.61%	0.00%	2.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSTCX and ALARX in my portfolio?

WSTCX and ALARX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WSTCX or ALARX?

WSTCX has higher volatility (7.16%) compared to ALARX (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSTCX dropped -60.92% vs ALARX's -68.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.30 vs 2.31), 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.