VITSX vs. PKSFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VITSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and PKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund) are both mutual funds - VITSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while PKSFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, VITSX returned 15.13%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PKSFX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VITSX charges 0.03%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PKSFX.

Performance

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITSX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VITSX achieves a 11.98% return, which is significantly higher than PKSFX's 3.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VITSX having a 15.13% annualized return and PKSFX not far behind at 14.68%.

VITSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.98%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 29.11%
• 3Y*: 22.36%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

PKSFX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 3.59%
• 3Y*: 10.77%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 14.68%

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

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VITSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.98%	17.14%	23.25%	26.51%	-19.51%	25.74%	20.99%	30.80%	-5.18%	21.16%
PKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund	3.17%	-2.58%	13.67%	32.32%	-10.77%	19.03%	21.38%	40.21%	-1.99%	34.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VITSX and PKSFX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 1997	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between VITSX and PKSFX has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VITSX vs. PKSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VITSX

VITSX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VITSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VITSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VITSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VITSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VITSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

PKSFX

PKSFX Risk / Return Rank: 4
PKSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PKSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PKSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PKSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PKSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITSX) and Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX). 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.

	VITSX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	0.30	+2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	0.57	+2.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.06	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	0.41	+2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.58	0.87	+14.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VITSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the PKSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VITSX and PKSFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VITSX	PKSFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	0.30	+2.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.43	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.78	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.56	-0.07

Drawdowns

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VITSX drawdown since its inception was -55.30%, roughly equal to the maximum PKSFX drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VITSX and PKSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VITSX	PKSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.30%	-54.46%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-11.19%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-21.82%	+2.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-22.02%	-3.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.97%	-33.45%	-1.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-7.17%	-2.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	5.34%	-3.41%

Volatility

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITSX) is 2.95%, while Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund (PKSFX) has a volatility of 4.22%. This indicates that VITSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PKSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VITSX	PKSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	4.22%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	10.99%	-1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	15.31%	-3.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	17.93%	-0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	18.83%	-0.42%

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VITSX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PKSFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

VITSX vs. PKSFX - Dividend Comparison

VITSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than PKSFX's 13.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund	13.86%	14.30%	4.07%	4.12%	6.65%	12.05%	7.45%	4.03%	4.33%	0.17%	5.69%	19.83%
VITSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.43%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.77%	2.04%	1.71%	1.93%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VITSX and PKSFX in my portfolio?

VITSX and PKSFX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VITSX or PKSFX?

PKSFX has higher volatility (4.22%) compared to VITSX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VITSX dropped -55.30% vs PKSFX's -54.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VITSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 0.30), 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.