VKSIX vs. NFJ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VKSIX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund) and NFJ (Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - VKSIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while NFJ is a Dividend fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 5 years, VKSIX returned -0.67%/yr vs 9.04%/yr for NFJ. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VKSIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for NFJ.

Performance

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) and Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VKSIX achieves a -4.34% return, which is significantly lower than NFJ's 24.19% return.

VKSIX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.28%
• 6M: -6.80%
• YTD: -4.34%
• 1Y: -10.41%
• 3Y*: 1.45%
• 5Y*: -0.67%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.26%

NFJ

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.33%
• 6M: 18.41%
• YTD: 24.19%
• 1Y: 34.39%
• 3Y*: 17.47%
• 5Y*: 9.04%
• 10Y*: 10.59%
• ALL TIME*: 6.59%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	$3.60M	$3.69M	$2.79M
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	-4.34%	-4.36%	9.07%	23.61%	-23.83%	19.54%	33.45%	38.81%	-6.68%
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	24.19%	12.40%	9.96%	21.30%	-23.90%	26.75%	12.42%	30.88%	-12.87%

Correlation

The correlation between VKSIX and NFJ is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2018	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between VKSIX and NFJ has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VKSIX vs. NFJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VKSIX

VKSIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
VKSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VKSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
VKSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

NFJ

NFJ Risk / Return Rank: 93
NFJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
NFJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
NFJ Omega Ratio Rank: 88
NFJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NFJ Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) and Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ). 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.

	VKSIX	NFJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	2.59	-3.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.93	3.74	-4.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.46	-0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.71	4.03	-4.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.32	13.76	-15.08

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VKSIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is lower than the NFJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VKSIX and NFJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VKSIX drawdown since its inception was -35.59%, smaller than the maximum NFJ drawdown of -57.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKSIX and NFJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VKSIX	NFJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.59%	-57.92%	+22.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.71%	-8.57%	-7.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.29%	-17.04%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.49%	-30.57%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.65%	0.00%	-15.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.01%	-10.72%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.44%	2.51%	+5.93%

Volatility

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Volatility Comparison

Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) has a higher volatility of 4.88% compared to Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) at 2.81%. This indicates that VKSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VKSIX	NFJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.88%	2.81%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.18%	10.72%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.22%	13.35%	+2.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.28%	17.20%	+2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.89%	18.68%	+2.21%

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VKSIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than NFJ's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

VKSIX vs. NFJ - Dividend Comparison

VKSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than NFJ's 7.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	7.97%	9.46%	9.26%	7.78%	8.83%	5.60%	6.69%	6.92%	8.43%	8.62%	9.52%	13.32%
VKSIX Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund	0.36%	0.34%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	1.13%	0.01%	0.00%	1.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VKSIX and NFJ in my portfolio?

VKSIX and NFJ have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VKSIX or NFJ?

VKSIX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to NFJ (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKSIX dropped -35.59% vs NFJ's -57.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs -0.69), 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.