QISIX vs. VFSNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QISIX (Pear Tree Polaris International Opportunities Fund) and VFSNX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, QISIX returned 3.14%/yr vs 6.19%/yr for VFSNX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QISIX charges 1.22%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VFSNX.

Performance

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pear Tree Polaris International Opportunities Fund (QISIX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QISIX achieves a 17.22% return, which is significantly higher than VFSNX's 11.76% return.

QISIX

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: 8.46%
• YTD: 17.22%
• 6M: 17.41%
• 1Y: 23.17%
• 3Y*: 12.65%
• 5Y*: 3.14%
• 10Y*: —

VFSNX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 11.76%
• 6M: 14.55%
• 1Y: 28.61%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 8.21%

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

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QISIX Pear Tree Polaris International Opportunities Fund	17.22%	18.14%	-5.09%	16.38%	-19.17%	3.48%	13.72%	18.84%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.76%	29.97%	2.63%	15.18%	-21.26%	12.74%	11.92%	13.53%

Correlation

The correlation between QISIX and VFSNX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.71

The correlation between QISIX and VFSNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QISIX vs. VFSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QISIX

QISIX Risk / Return Rank: 37
QISIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
QISIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
QISIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
QISIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
QISIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VFSNX

VFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pear Tree Polaris International Opportunities Fund (QISIX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). 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.

	QISIX	VFSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.11	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.89	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	2.46	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.44	9.47	-2.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QISIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the VFSNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QISIX and VFSNX, 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

	QISIX	VFSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	2.11	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.41	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.59	-0.10

Drawdowns

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QISIX drawdown since its inception was -41.11%, smaller than the maximum VFSNX drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QISIX and VFSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QISIX	VFSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.11%	-43.65%	+2.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-11.47%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.47%	-14.70%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.79%	-33.75%	-4.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.09%	+1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.10%	-9.49%	-2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.98%	+0.13%

Volatility

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pear Tree Polaris International Opportunities Fund (QISIX) is 3.85%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) has a volatility of 4.30%. This indicates that QISIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QISIX	VFSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	4.30%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.79%	11.19%	-0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	13.40%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.87%	15.03%	-0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.02%	15.76%	+0.26%

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QISIX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSNX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

QISIX vs. VFSNX - Dividend Comparison

QISIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than VFSNX's 3.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QISIX Pear Tree Polaris International Opportunities Fund	1.61%	1.89%	3.29%	1.27%	1.66%	2.52%	0.68%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.01%	3.36%	3.41%	3.11%	2.26%	2.70%	1.90%	3.25%	2.81%	2.85%	2.93%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QISIX and VFSNX in my portfolio?

QISIX and VFSNX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QISIX or VFSNX?

VFSNX has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to QISIX (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QISIX dropped -41.11% vs VFSNX's -43.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.79), 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.