PFSMX vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PFSMX (PFG MFS Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund) and VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PFSMX returned 7.88%/yr vs 10.98%/yr for VTWAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PFSMX charges 2.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTWAX.

Performance

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PFG MFS Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund (PFSMX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFSMX achieves a 7.27% return, which is significantly lower than VTWAX's 12.29% return.

PFSMX

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 1.42%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 7.42%
• 1Y: 14.47%
• 3Y*: 16.32%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: —

VTWAX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 6M: 13.02%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PFSMX PFG MFS Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund	7.27%	12.09%	20.94%	14.51%	-17.25%	17.56%	11.48%	17.38%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.29%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PFSMX and VTWAX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.97

The correlation between PFSMX and VTWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PFSMX vs. VTWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFSMX

PFSMX Risk / Return Rank: 27
PFSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PFSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
PFSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PFSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PFSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PFG MFS Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund (PFSMX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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.

	PFSMX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.38	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	3.27	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.82	3.05	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.53	13.64	-6.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFSMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFSMX and VTWAX, 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

	PFSMX	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.38	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.70	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.77	-0.29

Drawdowns

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFSMX drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, which is greater than VTWAX's maximum drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFSMX and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFSMX	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-34.20%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-9.64%	+1.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.29%	-16.43%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.00%	-26.40%	-11.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.69%	-0.76%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.70%	-5.30%	-5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.15%	-0.18%

Volatility

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PFG MFS Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund (PFSMX) is 2.76%, while Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) has a volatility of 3.64%. This indicates that PFSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFSMX	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.76%	3.64%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.25%	9.84%	-1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.68%	12.39%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.45%	15.72%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.37%	18.20%	+1.17%

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFSMX has a 2.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFSMX vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

PFSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.88%, more than VTWAX's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFSMX PFG MFS Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund	8.88%	9.52%	17.36%	3.15%	20.83%	20.75%	3.02%	1.39%	1.72%	0.80%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.57%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFSMX and VTWAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PFSMX and VTWAX 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, PFSMX or VTWAX?

VTWAX has higher volatility (3.64%) compared to PFSMX (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFSMX dropped -38.00% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.39), 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.