VIMCX vs. VUG

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).

VIMCX is managed by Virtus. It was launched on Jun 22, 2009. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.

Performance

VIMCX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VIMCX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIMCX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund	-3.88%	0.72%	5.20%	22.64%	-19.75%	25.28%	26.11%	31.74%	-4.18%	24.95%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	-9.39%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIMCX achieves a -3.88% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -9.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VIMCX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.40%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.

VIMCX

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -8.70%
• YTD: -3.88%
• 6M: -5.70%
• 1Y: -0.10%
• 3Y*: 5.41%
• 5Y*: 3.21%
• 10Y*: 10.40%

VUG

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -4.37%
• YTD: -9.39%
• 6M: -8.17%
• 1Y: 18.52%
• 3Y*: 21.59%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 16.16%

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

VIMCX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIMCX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

VIMCX

Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund

VUG

Vanguard Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VIMCX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIMCX

VIMCX Risk / Return Rank: 5
VIMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VIMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
VIMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VIMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VIMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 44
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

VIMCX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	VIMCX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	0.82	-0.81
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.17	1.32	-1.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.19	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.07	1.19	-1.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.20	4.15	-3.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIMCX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIMCX Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIMCX and VUG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VIMCX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01	0.82	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.53	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.76	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.57	+0.13

Correlation

The correlation between VIMCX and VUG is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VIMCX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VIMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than VUG's 0.45% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIMCX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund	4.59%	4.41%	0.00%	2.36%	0.23%	1.58%	0.67%	0.94%	0.77%	0.29%	0.00%	0.63%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.45%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Drawdowns

VIMCX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIMCX drawdown since its inception was -33.92%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIMCX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIMCX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.92%	-50.68%	+16.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.25%	-16.53%	+4.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.42%	-35.61%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.92%	-35.61%	+1.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.15%	-12.25%	+2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-7.13%	+2.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.27%	4.72%	-0.45%

Volatility

VIMCX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund (VIMCX) is 5.95%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that VIMCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIMCX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.95%	7.12%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.72%	12.70%	-0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.88%	22.70%	-2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.05%	22.22%	-4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.64%	21.38%	-2.74%