VIMCX vs. ARGFX
VIMCX (Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund) and ARGFX (Ariel Fund) are both mutual funds - VIMCX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while ARGFX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Ariel Investments. Over the past 10 years, VIMCX returned 10.57%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for ARGFX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VIMCX charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for ARGFX.
Performance
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIMCX achieves a 0.70% return, which is significantly lower than ARGFX's 13.71% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VIMCX having a 10.57% annualized return and ARGFX not far behind at 10.54%.
VIMCX
- 1D
- -0.69%
- 1M
- -0.74%
- 6M
- -2.71%
- YTD
- 0.70%
- 1Y
- 0.01%
- 3Y*
- 4.29%
- 5Y*
- 2.10%
- 10Y*
- 10.57%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.48%
ARGFX
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- 1.34%
- 6M
- 8.08%
- YTD
- 13.71%
- 1Y
- 27.30%
- 3Y*
- 13.24%
- 5Y*
- 6.92%
- 10Y*
- 10.54%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.93%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
ARGFX Ariel Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIMCX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund | 0.70% | 0.72% | 5.20% | 22.64% | -19.75% | 25.28% | 26.11% | 31.74% | -4.18% | 24.95% |
ARGFX Ariel Fund | 13.71% | 14.08% | 11.56% | 15.78% | -18.68% | 30.29% | 10.05% | 24.64% | -13.59% | 15.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIMCX and ARGFX is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.83 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.83 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.85 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2009 | 0.86 |
The correlation between VIMCX and ARGFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIMCX vs. ARGFX — Risk / Return Rank
VIMCX
ARGFX
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) and Ariel Fund (ARGFX). 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.
| VIMCX | ARGFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.24 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.18 | 2.06 | -2.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.44 | 6.06 | -6.49 |
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Drawdowns
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIMCX drawdown since its inception was -33.92%, smaller than the maximum ARGFX drawdown of -71.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIMCX and ARGFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIMCX | ARGFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.92% | -71.02% | +37.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.14% | -12.36% | +0.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.32% | -28.07% | +7.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.42% | -33.00% | +4.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.92% | -45.29% | +11.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.87% | -0.99% | -4.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.89% | -8.43% | +3.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.86% | 4.21% | +0.65% |
Volatility
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) is 3.83%, while Ariel Fund (ARGFX) has a volatility of 4.62%. This indicates that VIMCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARGFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIMCX | ARGFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.83% | 4.62% | -0.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.42% | 13.69% | -1.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.38% | 18.93% | -2.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.21% | 22.44% | -4.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.66% | 22.70% | -4.04% |
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIMCX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than ARGFX's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIMCX vs. ARGFX - Dividend Comparison
VIMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.38%, less than ARGFX's 10.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARGFX Ariel Fund | 10.38% | 11.80% | 5.49% | 5.09% | 9.01% | 5.56% | 5.33% | 5.81% | 10.35% | 6.30% | 6.56% | 16.28% |
VIMCX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund | 4.38% | 4.41% | 0.00% | 2.36% | 0.23% | 1.58% | 0.67% | 0.94% | 0.77% | 0.29% | 0.00% | 0.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIMCX and ARGFX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ARGFX has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to VIMCX (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIMCX dropped -33.92% vs ARGFX's -71.02%.
ARGFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs -0.13), 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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