PSTAX vs. PDIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PSTAX (Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund) and PDIAX (Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund) are both mutual funds - PSTAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while PDIAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, PSTAX returned 13.76%/yr vs 10.59%/yr for PDIAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 1.20% expense ratio.

Performance

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX) and Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund (PDIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSTAX achieves a 6.67% return, which is significantly lower than PDIAX's 12.36% return. Over the past 10 years, PSTAX has outperformed PDIAX with an annualized return of 13.76%, while PDIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.59% annualized return.

PSTAX

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: 6.57%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 6M: 6.19%
• 1Y: 11.13%
• 3Y*: 16.32%
• 5Y*: 6.04%
• 10Y*: 13.76%

PDIAX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 1.79%
• YTD: 12.36%
• 6M: 11.63%
• 1Y: 20.51%
• 3Y*: 12.53%
• 5Y*: 8.04%
• 10Y*: 10.59%

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

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSTAX Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund	6.67%	6.85%	25.19%	34.35%	-35.74%	11.70%	46.13%	42.83%	-8.07%	35.13%
PDIAX Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund	12.36%	13.45%	9.10%	1.08%	-2.58%	17.04%	14.51%	28.11%	-12.69%	22.45%

Correlation

The correlation between PSTAX and PDIAX is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 1997	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between PSTAX and PDIAX has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PSTAX vs. PDIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSTAX

PSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 7
PSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

PDIAX

PDIAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
PDIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
PDIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
PDIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
PDIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
PDIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX) and Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund (PDIAX). 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.

	PSTAX	PDIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	2.17	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	3.18	-2.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.39	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	3.30	-2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	14.05	-12.31

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSTAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the PDIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSTAX and PDIAX, 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

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSTAX drawdown since its inception was -76.37%, which is greater than PDIAX's maximum drawdown of -53.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSTAX and PDIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSTAX	PDIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.37%	-53.27%	-23.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.58%	-6.22%	-13.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.63%	-12.04%	-17.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.54%	-16.21%	-28.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.54%	-35.26%	-9.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.39%	-0.52%	-3.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.87%	-8.36%	-23.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.29%	1.46%	+4.83%

Volatility

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX) has a higher volatility of 9.21% compared to Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund (PDIAX) at 3.00%. This indicates that PSTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PDIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSTAX	PDIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.21%	3.00%	+6.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.57%	7.42%	+8.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.36%	9.47%	+8.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.39%	13.00%	+12.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.77%	16.92%	+6.85%

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PSTAX and PDIAX have an expense ratio of 1.20%.

Dividends

PSTAX vs. PDIAX - Dividend Comparison

PSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.11%, more than PDIAX's 6.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDIAX Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund	6.63%	6.52%	2.88%	2.71%	5.83%	4.16%	35.18%	0.95%	1.20%	15.53%	3.60%	19.74%
PSTAX Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund	7.11%	7.58%	14.19%	6.07%	23.19%	7.73%	3.15%	2.71%	11.57%	6.28%	8.98%	4.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSTAX and PDIAX in my portfolio?

PSTAX and PDIAX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSTAX or PDIAX?

PSTAX has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to PDIAX (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSTAX dropped -76.37% vs PDIAX's -53.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.60), 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.