PALAX vs. AZMIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PALAX (Virtus Global Allocation Fund) and AZMIX (Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund) are both mutual funds - PALAX is a Global Allocation fund managed by Allianz, while AZMIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Allianz. Over the past 10 years, PALAX returned 7.58%/yr vs 9.06%/yr for AZMIX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PALAX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for AZMIX.

Performance

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) and Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund (AZMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PALAX achieves a 9.67% return, which is significantly lower than AZMIX's 25.54% return. Over the past 10 years, PALAX has underperformed AZMIX with an annualized return of 7.58%, while AZMIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.06% annualized return.

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%

AZMIX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: 8.25%
• YTD: 25.54%
• 6M: 27.77%
• 1Y: 51.65%
• 3Y*: 19.23%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 9.06%

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

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
AZMIX Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund	25.54%	33.20%	0.98%	7.15%	-27.76%	2.53%	22.61%	21.90%	-19.63%	36.72%

Correlation

The correlation between PALAX and AZMIX is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 26, 2012	0.68

The correlation between PALAX and AZMIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PALAX vs. AZMIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

AZMIX

AZMIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
AZMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AZMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
AZMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AZMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AZMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) and Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund (AZMIX). 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.

	PALAX	AZMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	2.82	-0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	3.54	+0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.52	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	4.13	-0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	13.97	+0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is comparable to the AZMIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALAX and AZMIX, 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

	PALAX	AZMIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	2.82	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.23	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.49	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.38	+0.14

Drawdowns

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALAX drawdown since its inception was -44.59%, roughly equal to the maximum AZMIX drawdown of -44.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALAX and AZMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALAX	AZMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.59%	-44.57%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-12.58%	+5.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.92%	-17.91%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.75%	-43.05%	+15.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.75%	-44.57%	+16.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.70%	-14.25%	+7.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	3.71%	-2.10%

Volatility

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Global Allocation Fund (PALAX) is 2.68%, while Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund (AZMIX) has a volatility of 6.75%. This indicates that PALAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AZMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PALAX	AZMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	6.75%	-4.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.97%	14.99%	-8.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.55%	18.47%	-9.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.85%	19.46%	-7.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.35%	18.42%	-7.07%

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALAX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than AZMIX's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

PALAX vs. AZMIX - Dividend Comparison

PALAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.31%, more than AZMIX's 2.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AZMIX Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund	2.51%	3.15%	1.57%	1.80%	2.08%	0.57%	1.68%	2.96%	3.07%	1.70%	2.41%	3.62%
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 PALAX and AZMIX in my portfolio?

PALAX and AZMIX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PALAX or AZMIX?

AZMIX has higher volatility (6.75%) compared to PALAX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALAX dropped -44.59% vs AZMIX's -44.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AZMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 2.73), 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.