PXSGX vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PXSGX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - PXSGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Over the past 5 years, PXSGX returned -5.08%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for AVUV. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PXSGX charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PXSGX achieves a -7.51% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 19.12% return.

PXSGX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: -7.51%
• 6M: -8.61%
• 1Y: -21.52%
• 3Y*: -1.36%
• 5Y*: -5.08%
• 10Y*: 10.11%

AVUV

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 19.12%
• 6M: 20.66%
• 1Y: 39.89%
• 3Y*: 19.63%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PXSGX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund	-7.51%	-22.97%	21.11%	20.27%	-30.04%	4.47%	43.46%	7.08%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	19.12%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between PXSGX and AVUV is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.70

The correlation between PXSGX and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PXSGX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 73
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 65
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

	PXSGX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.18	2.29	-3.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.72	3.26	-4.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.40	-0.57
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	4.99	-5.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.38	14.84	-16.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXSGX Sharpe Ratio is -1.18, which is lower than the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXSGX and AVUV, 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

	PXSGX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.18	2.29	-3.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.21	0.48	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.56	-0.16

Drawdowns

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXSGX drawdown since its inception was -53.72%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXSGX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXSGX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.72%	-49.42%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.37%	-7.95%	-20.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.49%	-28.79%	-13.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.49%	-28.79%	-13.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.98%	-0.15%	-38.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-7.96%	-3.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.75%	2.67%	+13.08%

Volatility

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.14%. This indicates that PXSGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXSGX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	4.14%	+1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	11.28%	+1.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.54%	17.50%	+1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.77%	22.73%	+2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.58%	28.30%	-5.72%

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXSGX has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXSGX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

PXSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 51.80%, more than AVUV's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.28%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PXSGX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund	51.80%	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 PXSGX and AVUV in my portfolio?

PXSGX and AVUV have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PXSGX or AVUV?

PXSGX has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to AVUV (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXSGX dropped -53.72% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs -1.18), 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.