PEGZX vs. PKSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PEGZX (PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund) and PKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PEGZX returned 15.17%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PKSFX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEGZX charges 0.71%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PKSFX.

Performance

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PEGZX) 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, PEGZX achieves a 4.33% return, which is significantly higher than PKSFX's 3.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PEGZX having a 15.17% annualized return and PKSFX not far behind at 14.68%.

PEGZX

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 4.11%
• YTD: 4.33%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 5.37%
• 3Y*: 7.77%
• 5Y*: 2.81%
• 10Y*: 15.17%

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)

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEGZX PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund	4.33%	-2.39%	11.98%	20.63%	-23.79%	11.59%	42.90%	112.92%	-8.31%	22.63%
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 PEGZX and PKSFX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1997	0.81

The correlation between PEGZX and PKSFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PEGZX vs. PKSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEGZX

PEGZX Risk / Return Rank: 5
PEGZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PEGZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PEGZX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PEGZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PEGZX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PEGZX) 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.

	PEGZX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	0.30	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	0.57	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.06	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.35	0.41	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.98	0.87	+0.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEGZX Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is comparable to the PKSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEGZX 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

	PEGZX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38	0.30	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.43	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.78	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.56	-0.11

Drawdowns

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEGZX drawdown since its inception was -70.78%, which is greater than PKSFX's maximum drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEGZX and PKSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEGZX	PKSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.78%	-54.46%	-16.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.25%	-11.19%	-6.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.71%	-21.82%	-6.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.37%	-22.02%	-14.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.37%	-33.45%	-2.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.92%	-7.97%	+2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.29%	-7.17%	-10.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.21%	5.34%	+0.87%

Volatility

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PEGZX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX) have volatilities of 4.40% and 4.22%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEGZX	PKSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	4.22%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.11%	10.99%	+2.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.17%	15.31%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.19%	17.93%	+4.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.97%	18.83%	+9.14%

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEGZX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is lower than PKSFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEGZX vs. PKSFX - Dividend Comparison

PEGZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.77%, less than PKSFX's 13.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PEGZX PGIM Jennison Mid-Cap Growth Fund	7.77%	8.11%	4.84%	3.08%	1.39%	29.97%	36.38%	68.39%	40.45%	13.28%	6.40%	8.82%
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 PEGZX and PKSFX in my portfolio?

PEGZX and PKSFX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEGZX or PKSFX?

PEGZX has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to PKSFX (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEGZX dropped -70.78% vs PKSFX's -54.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEGZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.38 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.