FISGX vs. PKSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FISGX (Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund) and PKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FISGX returned 13.63%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PKSFX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FISGX charges 0.92%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PKSFX.

Performance

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FISGX) 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, FISGX achieves a 15.94% return, which is significantly higher than PKSFX's 3.17% return. Over the past 10 years, FISGX has underperformed PKSFX with an annualized return of 13.63%, while PKSFX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.68% annualized return.

FISGX

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 5.71%
• YTD: 15.94%
• 6M: 14.93%
• 1Y: 28.70%
• 3Y*: 15.65%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 13.63%

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)

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FISGX Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund	15.94%	7.83%	13.65%	20.26%	-30.11%	5.01%	46.58%	66.58%	-9.33%	24.98%
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 FISGX and PKSFX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 1996	0.83

The correlation between FISGX and PKSFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FISGX vs. PKSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FISGX

FISGX Risk / Return Rank: 36
FISGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FISGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FISGX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FISGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
FISGX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FISGX) 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.

	FISGX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	0.30	+1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	0.57	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.06	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	0.41	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	0.87	+9.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FISGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the PKSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FISGX 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

	FISGX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	0.30	+1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.43	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.78	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.56	-0.05

Drawdowns

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FISGX drawdown since its inception was -57.51%, which is greater than PKSFX's maximum drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FISGX and PKSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FISGX	PKSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.51%	-54.46%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-11.19%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.16%	-21.82%	-6.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.30%	-22.02%	-21.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.30%	-33.45%	-9.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.86%	-7.17%	-2.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	5.34%	-2.29%

Volatility

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FISGX) has a higher volatility of 6.47% compared to Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX) at 4.22%. This indicates that FISGX'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

	FISGX	PKSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	4.22%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.04%	10.99%	+4.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.27%	15.31%	+3.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.45%	17.93%	+5.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.00%	18.83%	+5.17%

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FISGX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is lower than PKSFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FISGX vs. PKSFX - Dividend Comparison

FISGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.20%, less than PKSFX's 13.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FISGX Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund	7.20%	8.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	23.94%	9.97%	38.61%	19.12%	17.17%	4.01%	7.82%
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 FISGX and PKSFX in my portfolio?

FISGX and PKSFX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FISGX or PKSFX?

FISGX has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to PKSFX (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FISGX dropped -57.51% vs PKSFX's -54.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FISGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 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.