NFJ vs. PKSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NFJ (Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund) and PKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund) are both mutual funds - NFJ is a Dividend fund managed by Virtus, while PKSFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, NFJ returned 10.39%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PKSFX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NFJ charges 0.02%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PKSFX.

Performance

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) 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, NFJ achieves a 19.07% return, which is significantly higher than PKSFX's 3.17% return. Over the past 10 years, NFJ has underperformed PKSFX with an annualized return of 10.39%, while PKSFX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.68% annualized return.

NFJ

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 19.07%
• 6M: 20.29%
• 1Y: 35.91%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 10.39%

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)

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	19.07%	12.40%	9.96%	21.30%	-23.90%	26.75%	12.42%	30.88%	-11.97%	12.74%
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 NFJ and PKSFX is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2005	0.64

The correlation between NFJ and PKSFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NFJ vs. PKSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFJ

NFJ Risk / Return Rank: 81
NFJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NFJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
NFJ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
NFJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
NFJ Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) 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.

	NFJ	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	0.30	+2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	0.57	+3.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.06	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.21	0.41	+3.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.38	0.87	+13.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is higher than the PKSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFJ 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

	NFJ	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78	0.30	+2.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.43	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.78	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.56	-0.25

Drawdowns

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFJ drawdown since its inception was -57.92%, which is greater than PKSFX's maximum drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFJ and PKSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFJ	PKSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.92%	-54.46%	-3.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.57%	-11.19%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.04%	-21.82%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.57%	-22.02%	-8.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.96%	-33.45%	-7.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-7.97%	+7.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.79%	-7.17%	-3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	5.34%	-2.84%

Volatility

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) is 3.96%, while Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX) has a volatility of 4.22%. This indicates that NFJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PKSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NFJ	PKSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.96%	4.22%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.01%	10.99%	-0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.00%	15.31%	-2.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	17.93%	-0.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.65%	18.83%	-0.18%

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFJ has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than PKSFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFJ vs. PKSFX - Dividend Comparison

NFJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.14%, less than PKSFX's 13.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	8.14%	9.46%	9.26%	7.78%	8.83%	5.60%	6.69%	6.92%	8.43%	8.62%	9.52%	13.32%
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 NFJ and PKSFX in my portfolio?

NFJ and PKSFX have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFJ or PKSFX?

PKSFX has higher volatility (4.22%) compared to NFJ (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFJ dropped -57.92% vs PKSFX's -54.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 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.