PHSKX vs. COWG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PHSKX (Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund) and COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, PHSKX returned 3.01%/yr vs 24.53%/yr for COWG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PHSKX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWG.

Performance

PHSKX vs. COWG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX) and Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHSKX achieves a -4.48% return, which is significantly lower than COWG's 12.50% return.

PHSKX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: -4.48%
• 6M: -7.23%
• 1Y: -9.90%
• 3Y*: 3.01%
• 5Y*: -3.09%
• 10Y*: 10.71%

COWG

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 8.17%
• YTD: 12.50%
• 6M: 12.76%
• 1Y: 13.36%
• 3Y*: 24.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PHSKX vs. COWG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PHSKX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund	-4.48%	-3.58%	7.43%	22.00%	-0.04%
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	12.50%	10.24%	34.99%	20.69%	-0.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PHSKX and COWG is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2022	0.85

The correlation between PHSKX and COWG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PHSKX vs. COWG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHSKX

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

COWG

COWG Risk / Return Rank: 24
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 22
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

PHSKX vs. COWG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX) and Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG). 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.

	PHSKX	COWG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.49	0.84	-1.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.56	1.24	-1.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.15	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.39	1.24	-1.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.94	3.64	-4.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHSKX vs. COWG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHSKX Sharpe Ratio is -0.49, which is lower than the COWG Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHSKX and COWG, 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

	PHSKX	COWG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.49	0.84	-1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	1.18	-0.84

Drawdowns

PHSKX vs. COWG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHSKX drawdown since its inception was -81.79%, which is greater than COWG's maximum drawdown of -23.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHSKX and COWG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHSKX	COWG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.79%	-23.60%	-58.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.77%	-10.79%	-12.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.26%	-23.60%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.87%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.91%	0.00%	-28.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.39%	-3.28%	-26.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.84%	3.67%	+6.17%

Volatility

PHSKX vs. COWG - Volatility Comparison

Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX) has a higher volatility of 5.95% compared to Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) at 3.67%. This indicates that PHSKX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHSKX	COWG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.95%	3.67%	+2.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.64%	12.01%	+2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.91%	15.96%	+2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.80%	19.11%	+5.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.55%	19.11%	+4.44%

PHSKX vs. COWG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHSKX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than COWG's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHSKX vs. COWG - Dividend Comparison

PHSKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 48.52%, more than COWG's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.30%	0.32%	0.40%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PHSKX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund	48.52%	46.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.53%	0.10%	0.62%	2.19%	6.10%	1.60%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHSKX and COWG in my portfolio?

PHSKX and COWG have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHSKX or COWG?

PHSKX has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to COWG (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHSKX dropped -81.79% vs COWG's -23.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 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.