CLSPX vs. PKSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CLSPX (Columbia Select Mid Cap Growth Fund) and PKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, CLSPX returned 14.05%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PKSFX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CLSPX charges 0.86%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PKSFX.

Performance

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (CLSPX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CLSPX achieves a 19.07% return, which is significantly higher than PKSFX's 3.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CLSPX having a 14.05% annualized return and PKSFX not far ahead at 14.68%.

CLSPX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 9.79%
• YTD: 19.07%
• 6M: 18.10%
• 1Y: 30.47%
• 3Y*: 23.18%
• 5Y*: 10.46%
• 10Y*: 14.05%

PKSFX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 3.59%
• 3Y*: 10.77%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 14.68%

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

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CLSPX Columbia Select Mid Cap Growth Fund	19.07%	15.16%	23.97%	25.25%	-31.25%	16.39%	35.43%	35.25%	-5.22%	22.86%
PKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund	3.17%	-2.58%	13.67%	32.32%	-10.77%	19.03%	21.38%	40.21%	-1.99%	34.98%

Correlation

The correlation between CLSPX and PKSFX is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 1996	0.80

Over the past year, the correlation between CLSPX and PKSFX has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.80, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CLSPX vs. PKSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CLSPX

CLSPX Risk / Return Rank: 31
CLSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
CLSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
CLSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
CLSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
CLSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

PKSFX

PKSFX Risk / Return Rank: 4
PKSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PKSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PKSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PKSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PKSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (CLSPX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX). 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.

	CLSPX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	0.30	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	0.57	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.06	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	0.41	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.35	0.87	+7.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLSPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is higher than the PKSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLSPX and PKSFX, 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

	CLSPX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	0.30	+1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.43	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.78	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.56	-0.12

Drawdowns

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLSPX drawdown since its inception was -68.54%, which is greater than PKSFX's maximum drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLSPX and PKSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLSPX	PKSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.54%	-54.46%	-14.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.64%	-11.19%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-21.82%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.35%	-22.02%	-21.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.35%	-33.45%	-9.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.24%	-7.17%	-9.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.85%	5.34%	-1.49%

Volatility

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (CLSPX) has a higher volatility of 6.35% compared to Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX) at 4.22%. This indicates that CLSPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PKSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CLSPX	PKSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.35%	4.22%	+2.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.86%	10.99%	+5.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.25%	15.31%	+5.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.07%	17.93%	+7.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.84%	18.83%	+4.01%

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CLSPX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is lower than PKSFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

CLSPX vs. PKSFX - Dividend Comparison

CLSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.07%, less than PKSFX's 13.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CLSPX Columbia Select Mid Cap Growth Fund	10.07%	11.99%	12.87%	0.00%	0.00%	21.10%	15.38%	8.30%	26.41%	13.16%	6.15%	17.11%
PKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund	13.86%	14.30%	4.07%	4.12%	6.65%	12.05%	7.45%	4.03%	4.33%	0.17%	5.69%	19.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CLSPX and PKSFX in my portfolio?

CLSPX and PKSFX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CLSPX or PKSFX?

CLSPX has higher volatility (6.35%) compared to PKSFX (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CLSPX dropped -68.54% vs PKSFX's -54.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CLSPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.30), 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.