VIISX vs. IJR
VIISX (Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - VIISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Virtus, while IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Over the past 10 years, VIISX returned 8.25%/yr vs 11.34%/yr for IJR. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIISX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.
Performance
VIISX vs. IJR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIISX achieves a 1.70% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 19.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VIISX has underperformed IJR with an annualized return of 8.25%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.34% annualized return.
VIISX
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- 1.06%
- YTD
- 1.70%
- 6M
- 2.55%
- 1Y
- -1.62%
- 3Y*
- 8.63%
- 5Y*
- -0.54%
- 10Y*
- 8.25%
IJR
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 4.58%
- YTD
- 19.75%
- 6M
- 16.72%
- 1Y
- 36.74%
- 3Y*
- 16.28%
- 5Y*
- 6.65%
- 10Y*
- 11.34%
VIISX vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIISX Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund | 1.70% | 14.30% | 4.06% | 22.36% | -34.42% | 5.84% | 24.38% | 27.62% | -6.81% | 28.48% |
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 19.75% | 5.89% | 8.63% | 16.06% | -16.20% | 26.58% | 11.28% | 22.82% | -8.51% | 13.15% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIISX and IJR is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013 | 0.52 |
The correlation between VIISX and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIISX vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank
VIISX
IJR
VIISX vs. IJR - 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 Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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 | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 1.36 | -0.38 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.16 | 4.25 | -4.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.34 | 14.27 | -14.61 |
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Drawdowns
VIISX vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIISX drawdown since its inception was -50.31%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIISX and IJR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIISX | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.31% | -58.15% | +7.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.94% | -8.68% | -6.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.58% | -28.02% | +12.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.31% | -28.02% | -22.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.31% | -44.36% | -5.95% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.46% | -0.09% | -10.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.26% | -9.26% | -2.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.79% | 2.58% | +4.21% |
Volatility
VIISX vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund (VIISX) is 3.77%, while iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that VIISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIISX | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.77% | 4.92% | -1.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.49% | 12.05% | -1.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.71% | 17.76% | -5.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.24% | 21.40% | -5.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.45% | 22.93% | -7.48% |
VIISX vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIISX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIISX vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison
VIISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, more than IJR's 1.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.15% | 1.44% | 2.05% | 1.31% | 1.41% | 1.53% | 1.11% | 1.44% | 1.58% | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.48% |
VIISX Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund | 3.66% | 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 IJR have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IJR has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to VIISX (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIISX dropped -50.31% vs IJR's -58.15%.
IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs -0.18), 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.
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