IESGX vs. PGVFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IESGX (Sit ESG Growth Fund) and PGVFX (Polaris Global Value Fund) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, IESGX returned 10.79%/yr vs 9.45%/yr for PGVFX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IESGX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for PGVFX.

Performance

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sit ESG Growth Fund (IESGX) and Polaris Global Value Fund (PGVFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IESGX achieves a 7.00% return, which is significantly lower than PGVFX's 19.53% return.

IESGX

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 3.84%
• YTD: 7.00%
• 6M: 7.43%
• 1Y: 20.64%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 10.79%
• 10Y*: —

PGVFX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: 19.53%
• 6M: 22.73%
• 1Y: 38.21%
• 3Y*: 21.58%
• 5Y*: 9.45%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IESGX Sit ESG Growth Fund	7.00%	19.65%	19.59%	26.67%	-21.08%	19.93%	15.91%	26.41%	-7.38%	23.71%
PGVFX Polaris Global Value Fund	19.53%	27.01%	5.33%	14.76%	-12.00%	15.38%	6.65%	22.83%	-12.64%	20.60%

Correlation

The correlation between IESGX and PGVFX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2016	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between IESGX and PGVFX has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IESGX vs. PGVFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IESGX

IESGX Risk / Return Rank: 38
IESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
IESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
IESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
IESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

PGVFX

PGVFX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PGVFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PGVFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PGVFX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PGVFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PGVFX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sit ESG Growth Fund (IESGX) and Polaris Global Value Fund (PGVFX). 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.

	IESGX	PGVFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	3.32	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	4.65	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.63	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	4.45	-2.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.41	16.11	-6.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is lower than the PGVFX Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IESGX and PGVFX, 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

	IESGX	PGVFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	3.32	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.69	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.49	+0.25

Drawdowns

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IESGX drawdown since its inception was -32.15%, smaller than the maximum PGVFX drawdown of -68.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IESGX and PGVFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IESGX	PGVFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.15%	-68.09%	+35.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.65%	-8.76%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.86%	-12.53%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-27.58%	-2.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-0.09%	-1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.08%	-11.30%	+6.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	2.42%	-0.18%

Volatility

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sit ESG Growth Fund (IESGX) is 3.66%, while Polaris Global Value Fund (PGVFX) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that IESGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PGVFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IESGX	PGVFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	4.09%	-0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.68%	9.55%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	11.76%	+0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	13.80%	+2.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.77%	15.87%	+0.90%

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IESGX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than PGVFX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

IESGX vs. PGVFX - Dividend Comparison

IESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, less than PGVFX's 4.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IESGX Sit ESG Growth Fund	1.11%	1.19%	0.06%	0.77%	3.29%	1.43%	0.58%	1.54%	1.41%	0.91%	0.21%	0.00%
PGVFX Polaris Global Value Fund	4.33%	5.17%	5.65%	1.68%	3.55%	4.05%	1.55%	3.69%	3.39%	1.50%	1.32%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IESGX and PGVFX in my portfolio?

IESGX and PGVFX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IESGX or PGVFX?

PGVFX has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to IESGX (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IESGX dropped -32.15% vs PGVFX's -68.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGVFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 1.72), 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.