VIISX vs. EFA
VIISX (Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both funds - VIISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Virtus, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, VIISX returned 7.88%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for EFA. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VIISX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.
Performance
VIISX vs. EFA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIISX achieves a 3.65% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VIISX has underperformed EFA with an annualized return of 7.88%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively higher 9.47% annualized return.
VIISX
- 1D
- 1.62%
- 1M
- 1.38%
- 6M
- 0.05%
- YTD
- 3.65%
- 1Y
- 0.26%
- 3Y*
- 8.53%
- 5Y*
- -0.95%
- 10Y*
- 7.88%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.34%
EFA
- 1D
- -0.62%
- 1M
- 1.16%
- 6M
- 6.46%
- YTD
- 11.69%
- 1Y
- 25.09%
- 3Y*
- 16.41%
- 5Y*
- 9.23%
- 10Y*
- 9.47%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.58%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.24B | $1.12B | $1.39B | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VIISX vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIISX Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund | 3.65% | 14.30% | 4.06% | 22.36% | -34.42% | 5.84% | 24.38% | 27.62% | -6.81% | 28.48% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 11.69% | 31.55% | 3.49% | 18.36% | -14.39% | 11.45% | 7.60% | 22.04% | -13.82% | 25.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIISX and EFA is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.80 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013 | 0.73 |
The correlation between VIISX and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIISX vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank
VIISX
EFA
VIISX vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund (VIISX) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VIISX | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.62 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.28 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.04 | 2.18 | -2.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.09 | 8.23 | -8.32 |
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Drawdowns
VIISX vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIISX drawdown since its inception was -50.31%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIISX and EFA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIISX | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.31% | -61.04% | +10.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.51% | -11.42% | -2.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.94% | -14.05% | -0.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.31% | -29.53% | -20.78% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.31% | -34.19% | -16.12% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.75% | -0.62% | -8.13% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.26% | -11.86% | +0.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.58% | 3.02% | +2.56% |
Volatility
VIISX vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund (VIISX) is 3.72%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 4.69%. This indicates that VIISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIISX | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.72% | 4.69% | -0.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.85% | 13.71% | -2.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.14% | 15.79% | -2.65% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.29% | 16.62% | -0.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.38% | 17.00% | -1.62% |
VIISX vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIISX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIISX vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison
VIISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, more than EFA's 3.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.19% | 3.38% | 3.24% | 2.98% | 2.69% | 3.33% | 2.13% | 3.10% | 3.39% | 2.57% | 3.07% | 2.76% |
VIISX Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund | 3.59% | 3.72% | 1.94% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 8.43% | 1.16% | 1.98% | 1.42% | 1.82% | 2.75% | 3.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIISX and EFA have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EFA has higher volatility (4.69%) compared to VIISX (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIISX dropped -50.31% vs EFA's -61.04%.
EFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs -0.04), 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.
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