KTRAX vs. PALAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KTRAX (DWS Global Income Builder Fund) and PALAX (Virtus Global Allocation Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, KTRAX returned 7.96%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for PALAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KTRAX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for PALAX.

Performance

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Global Income Builder Fund (KTRAX) and Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with KTRAX having a 9.80% return and PALAX slightly lower at 9.67%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with KTRAX having a 7.96% annualized return and PALAX not far behind at 7.58%.

KTRAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 21.62%
• 3Y*: 14.21%
• 5Y*: 6.66%
• 10Y*: 7.96%

PALAX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 3.96%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.89%
• 1Y: 23.16%
• 3Y*: 13.00%
• 5Y*: 6.46%
• 10Y*: 7.58%

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

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KTRAX DWS Global Income Builder Fund	9.80%	14.66%	8.95%	14.73%	-15.38%	10.58%	8.06%	19.87%	-8.04%	16.33%
PALAX Virtus Global Allocation Fund	9.67%	17.73%	6.39%	11.78%	-15.69%	10.82%	13.99%	17.93%	-8.72%	16.92%

Correlation

The correlation between KTRAX and PALAX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 1998	0.93

The correlation between KTRAX and PALAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KTRAX vs. PALAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KTRAX

KTRAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
KTRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
KTRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
KTRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
KTRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
KTRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

PALAX

PALAX Risk / Return Rank: 79
PALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Global Income Builder Fund (KTRAX) and Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX). 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.

	KTRAX	PALAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.73	-0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	3.82	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.52	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.37	-0.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.52	14.53	-2.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KTRAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the PALAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KTRAX and PALAX, 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

	KTRAX	PALAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.73	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.55	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.67	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.52	+0.03

Drawdowns

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KTRAX drawdown since its inception was -39.90%, smaller than the maximum PALAX drawdown of -44.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KTRAX and PALAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KTRAX	PALAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.90%	-44.59%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.36%	-6.93%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.73%	-11.92%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.90%	-27.75%	+5.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.70%	-27.75%	+3.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.50%	-6.70%	-0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	1.61%	+0.15%

Volatility

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Global Income Builder Fund (KTRAX) has a higher volatility of 2.89% compared to Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) at 2.68%. This indicates that KTRAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PALAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KTRAX	PALAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	2.68%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.93%	6.97%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.65%	8.55%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.86%	11.85%	-1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.18%	11.35%	-1.17%

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KTRAX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than PALAX's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

KTRAX vs. PALAX - Dividend Comparison

KTRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.72%, more than PALAX's 8.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KTRAX DWS Global Income Builder Fund	8.72%	8.76%	16.91%	2.82%	2.69%	10.12%	2.43%	3.22%	5.15%	10.02%	2.75%	4.18%
PALAX Virtus Global Allocation Fund	8.31%	6.94%	3.07%	2.60%	6.29%	9.15%	6.14%	10.09%	6.19%	10.69%	1.61%	5.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KTRAX and PALAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, KTRAX and PALAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, KTRAX or PALAX?

KTRAX has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to PALAX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KTRAX dropped -39.90% vs PALAX's -44.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PALAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.55), 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.