STEW vs. ZTR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STEW (SRH Total Return Fund Inc.) and ZTR (Virtus Total Return Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 3 years, STEW returned 15.15%/yr vs 12.92%/yr for ZTR. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. STEW charges 2.28%/yr vs 3.77%/yr for ZTR.

Performance

STEW vs. ZTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SRH Total Return Fund Inc. (STEW) and Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STEW achieves a -4.92% return, which is significantly lower than ZTR's 8.25% return.

STEW

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -2.05%
• YTD: -4.92%
• 6M: -2.72%
• 1Y: 2.27%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZTR

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -3.09%
• YTD: 8.25%
• 6M: 6.91%
• 1Y: 16.63%
• 3Y*: 12.92%
• 5Y*: 2.97%
• 10Y*: 6.62%

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

STEW vs. ZTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
STEW SRH Total Return Fund Inc.	-4.92%	20.28%	19.90%	13.54%	-11.18%
ZTR Virtus Total Return Fund	8.25%	18.63%	18.31%	-3.21%	-26.25%

Correlation

The correlation between STEW and ZTR is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2022	0.52

The correlation between STEW and ZTR shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

STEW vs. ZTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

STEW

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

ZTR

ZTR Risk / Return Rank: 28
ZTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ZTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
ZTR Omega Ratio Rank: 23
ZTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ZTR Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

STEW vs. ZTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SRH Total Return Fund Inc. (STEW) and Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR). 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.

	STEW	ZTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.21	1.45	-1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.37	2.09	-1.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.25	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.24	2.36	-2.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	6.41	-5.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STEW vs. ZTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STEW Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is lower than the ZTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STEW and ZTR, 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

	STEW	ZTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21	1.45	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.31	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.31	+0.22

Drawdowns

STEW vs. ZTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STEW drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum ZTR drawdown of -57.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STEW and ZTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	STEW	ZTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-57.25%	+32.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.68%	-7.07%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.30%	-25.15%	+13.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-42.64%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.15%	-5.41%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.34%	-9.35%	+4.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.60%	+0.51%

Volatility

STEW vs. ZTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SRH Total Return Fund Inc. (STEW) is 2.42%, while Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) has a volatility of 3.11%. This indicates that STEW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STEW	ZTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	3.11%	-0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.27%	9.24%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.08%	11.55%	-0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.47%	16.67%	-1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.47%	21.61%	-6.14%

STEW vs. ZTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

STEW has a 2.28% expense ratio, which is lower than ZTR's 3.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

STEW vs. ZTR - Dividend Comparison

STEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, less than ZTR's 9.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
STEW SRH Total Return Fund Inc.	4.23%	3.56%	3.43%	3.60%	2.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZTR Virtus Total Return Fund	9.13%	9.52%	10.24%	15.25%	15.88%	10.96%	13.72%	11.89%	15.18%	13.85%	10.58%	9.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STEW and ZTR in my portfolio?

STEW and ZTR have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STEW or ZTR?

ZTR has higher volatility (3.11%) compared to STEW (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STEW dropped -25.25% vs ZTR's -57.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 0.21), 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.