SCETX vs. PKSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCETX (Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund) and PKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund) are both mutual funds - SCETX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Virtus, while PKSFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, SCETX returned 8.10%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PKSFX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCETX charges 1.15%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PKSFX.

Performance

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund (SCETX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCETX achieves a 17.12% return, which is significantly higher than PKSFX's 3.17% return. Over the past 10 years, SCETX has underperformed PKSFX with an annualized return of 8.10%, while PKSFX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.68% annualized return.

SCETX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 17.12%
• 6M: 15.50%
• 1Y: 30.29%
• 3Y*: 13.43%
• 5Y*: 7.27%
• 10Y*: 8.10%

PKSFX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 3.59%
• 3Y*: 10.77%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 14.68%

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

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCETX Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund	17.12%	1.59%	8.53%	14.49%	-9.79%	27.43%	0.92%	17.62%	-12.81%	10.30%
PKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund	3.17%	-2.58%	13.67%	32.32%	-10.77%	19.03%	21.38%	40.21%	-1.99%	34.98%

Correlation

The correlation between SCETX and PKSFX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 1997	0.87

The correlation between SCETX and PKSFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCETX vs. PKSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCETX

SCETX Risk / Return Rank: 43
SCETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SCETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SCETX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SCETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SCETX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

PKSFX

PKSFX Risk / Return Rank: 4
PKSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PKSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PKSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PKSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PKSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund (SCETX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX). 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.

	SCETX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	0.30	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	0.57	+2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.06	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	0.41	+2.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.56	0.87	+8.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCETX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is higher than the PKSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCETX and PKSFX, 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

	SCETX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	0.30	+1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.43	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.78	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.56	-0.09

Drawdowns

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCETX drawdown since its inception was -55.69%, roughly equal to the maximum PKSFX drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCETX and PKSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCETX	PKSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.69%	-54.46%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.82%	-11.19%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.66%	-21.82%	-9.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.66%	-22.02%	-9.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.64%	-33.45%	-15.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.63%	-7.17%	-2.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	5.34%	-1.92%

Volatility

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund (SCETX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX) have volatilities of 4.39% and 4.22%, 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

	SCETX	PKSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	4.22%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	10.99%	+1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.01%	15.31%	+2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	17.93%	+4.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.35%	18.83%	+3.52%

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCETX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than PKSFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCETX vs. PKSFX - Dividend Comparison

SCETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than PKSFX's 13.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund	13.86%	14.30%	4.07%	4.12%	6.65%	12.05%	7.45%	4.03%	4.33%	0.17%	5.69%	19.83%
SCETX Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund	0.93%	1.09%	12.45%	11.39%	22.49%	18.08%	1.29%	5.64%	19.10%	17.59%	4.37%	37.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCETX and PKSFX in my portfolio?

SCETX and PKSFX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCETX or PKSFX?

SCETX has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to PKSFX (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCETX dropped -55.69% vs PKSFX's -54.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCETX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 0.30), 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.