PHSKX vs. COWG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX) and Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG).

PHSKX is managed by Virtus. It was launched on Dec 31, 1975. COWG is a passively managed fund by Pacer that tracks the performance of the Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index. It was launched on Dec 21, 2022.

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.

PHSKX vs. COWG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PHSKX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund	-16.98%	-3.58%	7.43%	22.00%	-0.04%
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	-4.15%	10.24%	34.99%	20.69%	-0.68%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHSKX achieves a -16.98% return, which is significantly lower than COWG's -4.15% return.

PHSKX

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: -12.64%
• YTD: -16.98%
• 6M: -21.04%
• 1Y: -12.53%
• 3Y*: -0.34%
• 5Y*: -5.82%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

COWG

• 1D: 2.89%
• 1M: -4.39%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -6.87%
• 1Y: 9.94%
• 3Y*: 18.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PHSKX vs. COWG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

PHSKX

Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund

COWG

Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF

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: 29
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 28
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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	-0.55	0.44	-0.99
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	0.78	-1.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.11	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.61	0.75	-1.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.91	2.44	-4.34
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 -0.55, which is lower than the COWG Sharpe Ratio of 0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHSKX and COWG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PHSKX	COWG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.55	0.44	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.93	-0.60

Correlation

The correlation between PHSKX and COWG is 0.85, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PHSKX vs. COWG - Dividend Comparison

PHSKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 55.82%, more than COWG's 0.35% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHSKX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund	55.82%	46.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.53%	0.10%	0.62%	2.19%	6.10%	1.60%	1.54%
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.35%	0.32%	0.40%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

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%	-12.96%	-10.81%
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	-38.21%	-8.21%	-30.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.38%	-3.35%	-26.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.55%	3.96%	+3.59%

Volatility

PHSKX vs. COWG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX) is 5.63%, while Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) has a volatility of 6.09%. This indicates that PHSKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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	5.63%	6.09%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.98%	13.24%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.67%	22.50%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.76%	19.34%	+5.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.43%	19.34%	+4.09%