VISAX vs. MWNIX
VISAX (Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund Class A) and MWNIX (MFS International New Discovery Fund) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VISAX returned 7.94%/yr vs 6.67%/yr for MWNIX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VISAX charges 1.44%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for MWNIX.
Performance
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VISAX achieves a -0.93% return, which is significantly lower than MWNIX's 4.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VISAX has outperformed MWNIX with an annualized return of 7.94%, while MWNIX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.67% annualized return.
VISAX
- 1D
- -1.41%
- 1M
- -1.46%
- YTD
- -0.93%
- 6M
- -0.78%
- 1Y
- -5.76%
- 3Y*
- 9.07%
- 5Y*
- -1.59%
- 10Y*
- 7.94%
MWNIX
- 1D
- -2.41%
- 1M
- -1.51%
- YTD
- 4.54%
- 6M
- 4.20%
- 1Y
- 7.55%
- 3Y*
- 9.71%
- 5Y*
- 2.39%
- 10Y*
- 6.67%
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VISAX Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund Class A | -0.93% | 13.92% | 3.87% | 21.99% | -34.52% | 5.48% | 24.02% | 27.25% | -7.04% | 28.20% |
MWNIX MFS International New Discovery Fund | 4.54% | 16.88% | 0.90% | 13.03% | -18.63% | 5.06% | 9.98% | 22.85% | -10.41% | 30.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between VISAX and MWNIX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013 | 0.79 |
The correlation between VISAX and MWNIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VISAX vs. MWNIX — Risk / Return Rank
VISAX
MWNIX
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund Class A (VISAX) and MFS International New Discovery Fund (MWNIX). 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.
| VISAX | MWNIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 1.14 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.30 | 0.76 | -1.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.65 | 2.56 | -3.21 |
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Drawdowns
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VISAX drawdown since its inception was -50.44%, smaller than the maximum MWNIX drawdown of -58.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISAX and MWNIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VISAX | MWNIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.44% | -58.38% | +7.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.06% | -11.78% | -3.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.68% | -15.12% | -0.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.44% | -33.67% | -16.77% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.44% | -34.72% | -15.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.77% | -3.83% | -9.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.50% | -9.56% | -1.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.92% | 3.48% | +3.44% |
Volatility
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund Class A (VISAX) is 4.12%, while MFS International New Discovery Fund (MWNIX) has a volatility of 4.81%. This indicates that VISAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MWNIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VISAX | MWNIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.12% | 4.81% | -0.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.62% | 10.36% | +0.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.84% | 12.16% | +0.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.25% | 13.30% | +2.95% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.43% | 13.82% | +1.61% |
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VISAX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than MWNIX's 1.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
VISAX vs. MWNIX - Dividend Comparison
VISAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than MWNIX's 3.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MWNIX MFS International New Discovery Fund | 3.10% | 3.24% | 7.61% | 4.05% | 5.68% | 5.06% | 3.90% | 2.67% | 6.68% | 1.63% | 1.09% | 1.12% |
VISAX Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund Class A | 3.33% | 3.30% | 1.78% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 8.03% | 0.90% | 1.75% | 1.12% | 1.68% | 2.54% | 3.17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VISAX and MWNIX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MWNIX has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to VISAX (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VISAX dropped -50.44% vs MWNIX's -58.38%.
MWNIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.74 vs -0.35), 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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