PNSAX vs. PXSGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) and PXSGX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PNSAX returned 17.13%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for PXSGX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PNSAX charges 1.23%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for PXSGX.

Performance

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PNSAX achieves a 27.82% return, which is significantly higher than PXSGX's -8.38% return. Over the past 10 years, PNSAX has outperformed PXSGX with an annualized return of 17.13%, while PXSGX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.14% annualized return.

PNSAX

• 1D: 1.96%
• 1M: 9.13%
• YTD: 27.82%
• 6M: 24.45%
• 1Y: 39.31%
• 3Y*: 23.74%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 17.13%

PXSGX

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: -8.38%
• 6M: -9.79%
• 1Y: -22.20%
• 3Y*: -2.07%
• 5Y*: -5.90%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	27.82%	8.91%	22.98%	22.87%	-28.10%	14.38%	47.65%	37.60%	-2.46%	20.19%
PXSGX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund	-8.38%	-22.97%	21.11%	20.27%	-30.04%	4.47%	43.46%	40.26%	9.05%	36.99%

Correlation

The correlation between PNSAX and PXSGX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2006	0.86

Over the past year, the correlation between PNSAX and PXSGX has dropped to 0.58 - well below their long-term average of 0.86, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PNSAX vs. PXSGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PNSAX

PNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
PNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
PNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

PXSGX

PXSGX Risk / Return Rank: 0
PXSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
PXSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
PXSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PXSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PXSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PNSAX	PXSGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	-1.13	+2.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	-1.63	+4.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	0.83	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	-0.74	+3.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.22	-1.25	+11.47

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PNSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the PXSGX Sharpe Ratio of -1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PNSAX and PXSGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PNSAX drawdown since its inception was -69.47%, which is greater than PXSGX's maximum drawdown of -53.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PNSAX and PXSGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PNSAX	PXSGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.47%	-53.72%	-15.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.00%	-28.37%	+14.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.25%	-42.49%	+16.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.77%	-42.49%	+3.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.77%	-42.49%	+3.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-39.55%	+39.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.51%	-11.83%	-11.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.02%	16.78%	-12.76%

Volatility

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) has a higher volatility of 8.62% compared to Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX) at 4.39%. This indicates that PNSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PXSGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PNSAX	PXSGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.62%	4.39%	+4.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.39%	13.26%	+6.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.89%	18.70%	+5.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.46%	24.80%	-1.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.70%	22.60%	+1.10%

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PNSAX has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than PXSGX's 1.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PNSAX vs. PXSGX - Dividend Comparison

PNSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than PXSGX's 52.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	0.33%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.27%	4.87%	1.93%	1.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PXSGX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund	52.29%	47.91%	20.72%	5.31%	17.32%	14.31%	9.64%	1.52%	2.31%	0.00%	2.69%	2.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PNSAX and PXSGX in my portfolio?

PNSAX and PXSGX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PNSAX or PXSGX?

PNSAX has higher volatility (8.62%) compared to PXSGX (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PNSAX dropped -69.47% vs PXSGX's -53.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs -1.13), 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.