PSTAX vs. PXSGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSTAX (Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund) and PXSGX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - PSTAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while PXSGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, PSTAX returned 13.73%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for PXSGX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSTAX charges 1.20%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for PXSGX.

Performance

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX) 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, PSTAX achieves a 7.63% return, which is significantly higher than PXSGX's -8.50% return. Over the past 10 years, PSTAX has outperformed PXSGX with an annualized return of 13.73%, while PXSGX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.99% annualized return.

PSTAX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 11.00%
• YTD: 7.63%
• 6M: 5.82%
• 1Y: 10.30%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: 13.73%

PXSGX

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -0.38%
• YTD: -8.50%
• 6M: -10.17%
• 1Y: -23.35%
• 3Y*: -1.71%
• 5Y*: -5.02%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

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

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSTAX Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund	7.63%	6.85%	25.19%	34.35%	-35.74%	11.70%	46.13%	42.83%	-8.07%	35.13%
PXSGX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund	-8.50%	-22.97%	21.11%	20.27%	-30.04%	4.47%	43.46%	40.26%	9.05%	36.99%

Correlation

The correlation between PSTAX and PXSGX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2006	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between PSTAX and PXSGX has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PSTAX vs. PXSGX — 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: 6

PXSGX

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

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. PXSGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PSTAX	PXSGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	-1.21	+1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	-1.78	+2.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	0.82	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.55	-0.79	+1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.72	-1.41	+3.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSTAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is higher than the PXSGX Sharpe Ratio of -1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSTAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSTAX	PXSGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	-1.21	+1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	-0.20	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.44	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.40	-0.06

Drawdowns

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSTAX drawdown since its inception was -76.37%, which is greater than PXSGX's maximum drawdown of -53.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSTAX and PXSGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSTAX	PXSGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.37%	-53.72%	-22.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.58%	-28.37%	+8.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.63%	-42.49%	+12.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.54%	-42.49%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.54%	-42.49%	-2.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.53%	-39.63%	+36.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.92%	-11.76%	-20.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.25%	15.83%	-9.58%

Volatility

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX) have volatilities of 5.47% and 5.70%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSTAX	PXSGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.47%	5.70%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.60%	13.11%	+0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.84%	18.52%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.19%	24.78%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.66%	22.58%	+1.08%

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSTAX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than PXSGX's 1.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSTAX vs. PXSGX - Dividend Comparison

PSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.04%, less than PXSGX's 52.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSTAX Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund	7.04%	7.58%	14.19%	6.07%	23.19%	7.73%	3.15%	2.71%	11.57%	6.28%	8.98%	4.59%
PXSGX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund	52.36%	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 PSTAX and PXSGX in my portfolio?

PSTAX and PXSGX have a correlation of 0.56, 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 PXSGX?

PXSGX has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to PSTAX (5.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSTAX dropped -76.37% vs PXSGX's -53.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.64 vs -1.21), 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.