VKSIX vs. PSTAX
VKSIX (Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund) and PSTAX (Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - VKSIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus, while PSTAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 5 years, VKSIX returned -0.67%/yr vs 4.01%/yr for PSTAX. Their 0.80 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VKSIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for PSTAX.
Performance
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VKSIX achieves a -4.34% return, which is significantly lower than PSTAX's 1.26% 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%
PSTAX
- 1D
- 1.21%
- 1M
- -3.66%
- 6M
- 3.03%
- YTD
- 1.26%
- 1Y
- 2.83%
- 3Y*
- 12.35%
- 5Y*
- 4.01%
- 10Y*
- 12.65%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.79%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - 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% |
PSTAX Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund | 1.26% | 6.85% | 25.19% | 34.35% | -35.74% | 11.70% | 46.13% | 42.83% | -16.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between VKSIX and PSTAX is 0.55, 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. | 0.55 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.67 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2018 | 0.80 |
Over the past year, the correlation between VKSIX and PSTAX has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.80, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
VKSIX vs. PSTAX — Risk / Return Rank
VKSIX
PSTAX
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - 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 KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX). 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 | PSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.72 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.02 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.71 | 0.04 | -0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.32 | 0.11 | -1.43 |
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Drawdowns
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VKSIX drawdown since its inception was -35.59%, smaller than the maximum PSTAX drawdown of -76.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKSIX and PSTAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VKSIX | PSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.59% | -76.37% | +40.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.71% | -19.58% | +3.87% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.29% | -29.63% | +9.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.49% | -44.54% | +12.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.54% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.65% | -9.24% | -6.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.01% | -31.78% | +22.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.44% | 6.48% | +1.96% |
Volatility
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund (VKSIX) is 4.88%, while Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund (PSTAX) has a volatility of 5.42%. This indicates that VKSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VKSIX | PSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 5.42% | -0.54% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.18% | 16.42% | -4.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.22% | 19.27% | -3.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.28% | 25.50% | -6.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.89% | 23.80% | -2.91% |
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VKSIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is lower than PSTAX's 1.20% expense ratio.
Dividends
VKSIX vs. PSTAX - Dividend Comparison
VKSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than PSTAX's 7.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSTAX Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund | 7.49% | 7.58% | 14.19% | 6.07% | 23.19% | 7.73% | 3.15% | 2.71% | 11.57% | 6.28% | 8.98% | 4.59% |
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
VKSIX and PSTAX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PSTAX has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to VKSIX (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKSIX dropped -35.59% vs PSTAX's -76.37%.
PSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.04 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.
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