LZFIX vs. NFJEX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

LZFIX (Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio) and NFJEX (Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, LZFIX returned 4.05%/yr vs 9.87%/yr for NFJEX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LZFIX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NFJEX.

Performance

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio (LZFIX) and Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund (NFJEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LZFIX achieves a 0.83% return, which is significantly lower than NFJEX's 22.28% return.

LZFIX

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: 7.40%
• 6M: 1.11%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 1Y: -8.07%
• 3Y*: 1.28%
• 5Y*: 4.05%
• 10Y*: —

NFJEX

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 2.10%
• 6M: 17.96%
• YTD: 22.28%
• 1Y: 30.62%
• 3Y*: 14.97%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

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

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LZFIX Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio	0.83%	4.09%	-3.09%	18.84%	-5.29%	22.88%	1.15%	9.25%
NFJEX Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund	22.28%	8.46%	5.29%	19.79%	-13.63%	28.90%	-2.13%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between LZFIX and NFJEX is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2019	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between LZFIX and NFJEX has dropped to 0.48 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LZFIX vs. NFJEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LZFIX

LZFIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
LZFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
LZFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
LZFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
LZFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
LZFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

NFJEX

NFJEX Risk / Return Rank: 88
NFJEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
NFJEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NFJEX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NFJEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
NFJEX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio (LZFIX) and Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund (NFJEX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	LZFIX	NFJEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.49	2.39	-2.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.59	3.45	-4.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.42	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.36	4.23	-4.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.61	14.53	-15.14

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LZFIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.49, which is lower than the NFJEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LZFIX and NFJEX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LZFIX drawdown since its inception was -41.91%, smaller than the maximum NFJEX drawdown of -61.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LZFIX and NFJEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LZFIX	NFJEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.91%	-61.94%	+20.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.87%	-7.38%	-13.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.51%	-19.69%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.69%	-23.29%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.24%	0.00%	-11.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-9.57%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.50%	2.15%	+10.35%

Volatility

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Volatility Comparison

Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio (LZFIX) has a higher volatility of 5.68% compared to Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund (NFJEX) at 2.24%. This indicates that LZFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFJEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LZFIX	NFJEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.68%	2.24%	+3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.93%	9.64%	+2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.60%	13.19%	+2.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.91%	16.55%	+1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.05%	18.04%	+3.01%

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LZFIX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than NFJEX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

LZFIX vs. NFJEX - Dividend Comparison

LZFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.70%, more than NFJEX's 10.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LZFIX Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio	20.70%	20.87%	14.95%	8.68%	12.81%	15.59%	1.12%	5.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NFJEX Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund	10.07%	12.61%	3.51%	14.16%	19.01%	6.43%	1.96%	14.20%	27.33%	27.35%	6.05%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LZFIX and NFJEX in my portfolio?

LZFIX and NFJEX have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LZFIX or NFJEX?

LZFIX has higher volatility (5.68%) compared to NFJEX (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LZFIX dropped -41.91% vs NFJEX's -61.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFJEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs -0.49), 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.