VKSFX vs. VUG
VKSFX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Value Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - VKSFX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Virtus, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 3 years, VKSFX returned 4.30%/yr vs 23.28%/yr for VUG. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VKSFX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.
Performance
VKSFX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VKSFX achieves a 1.89% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 7.33% return.
VKSFX
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- -0.97%
- 6M
- -3.22%
- YTD
- 1.89%
- 1Y
- -1.88%
- 3Y*
- 4.30%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 0.94%
VUG
- 1D
- 2.21%
- 1M
- 1.85%
- 6M
- 8.45%
- YTD
- 7.33%
- 1Y
- 17.91%
- 3Y*
- 23.28%
- 5Y*
- 12.56%
- 10Y*
- 17.52%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.19%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $562.97M | $645.16M | $657.53M |
VKSFX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Value Fund | 1.89% | -3.61% | 10.24% | 16.94% | -20.43% | 4.02% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 7.33% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 8.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between VKSFX and VUG is 0.28, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.64 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2021 | 0.64 |
Over the past year, the correlation between VKSFX and VUG has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
VKSFX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
VKSFX
VUG
VKSFX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Value Fund (VKSFX) 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.
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.
| VKSFX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 1.18 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.25 | 1.09 | -1.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.45 | 3.45 | -3.91 |
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Drawdowns
VKSFX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VKSFX drawdown since its inception was -25.46%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKSFX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VKSFX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.46% | -50.68% | +25.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.36% | -16.53% | +5.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.84% | -22.85% | +2.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.46% | -35.61% | +10.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.60% | -3.45% | -6.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.65% | -7.08% | -3.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.21% | 5.20% | +1.01% |
Volatility
VKSFX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Value Fund (VKSFX) is 4.86%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 5.95%. This indicates that VKSFX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VKSFX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.86% | 5.95% | -1.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.20% | 14.38% | -4.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.66% | 17.76% | -3.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.04% | 22.52% | -4.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.04% | 21.57% | -3.53% |
VKSFX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VKSFX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
VKSFX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
VKSFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than VUG's 0.39% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VKSFX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Value Fund | 0.23% | 0.23% | 0.54% | 0.70% | 0.46% | 0.48% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.39% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VKSFX and VUG have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to VKSFX (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKSFX dropped -25.46% vs VUG's -50.68%.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs -0.19), 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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