WAFMX vs. VIESX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund (WAFMX) and Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund (VIESX).

WAFMX is managed by Wasatch. It was launched on Jan 30, 2012. VIESX is managed by Virtus. It was launched on Dec 16, 2013.

Performance

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund (WAFMX) and Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund (VIESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WAFMX Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund	-3.06%	4.35%	10.67%	28.16%	-41.11%	8.60%	28.24%	26.47%	-18.49%	21.16%
VIESX Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund	-0.06%	13.61%	3.62%	21.83%	-22.92%	-1.62%	38.88%	18.28%	-5.40%	31.01%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAFMX achieves a -3.06% return, which is significantly lower than VIESX's -0.06% return. Over the past 10 years, WAFMX has underperformed VIESX with an annualized return of 2.94%, while VIESX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.45% annualized return.

WAFMX

• 1D: 2.95%
• 1M: -6.43%
• YTD: -3.06%
• 6M: -6.93%
• 1Y: 0.87%
• 3Y*: 8.40%
• 5Y*: -2.40%
• 10Y*: 2.94%

VIESX

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: -6.30%
• YTD: -0.06%
• 6M: -2.08%
• 1Y: 9.47%
• 3Y*: 10.35%
• 5Y*: 1.93%
• 10Y*: 9.45%

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

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAFMX has a 2.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VIESX's 1.51% expense ratio.

WAFMX

Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund

VIESX

Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund

Return for Risk

WAFMX vs. VIESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAFMX

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

VIESX

VIESX Risk / Return Rank: 25
VIESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VIESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
VIESX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VIESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VIESX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund (WAFMX) and Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund (VIESX). 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.

	WAFMX	VIESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	0.82	-0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.19	1.18	-1.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.16	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.00	0.91	-0.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.00	2.82	-2.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WAFMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the VIESX Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WAFMX and VIESX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WAFMX	VIESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06	0.82	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.15	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.72	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.50	-0.21

Correlation

The correlation between WAFMX and VIESX is 0.60, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Dividend Comparison

WAFMX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VIESX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WAFMX Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%
VIESX Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund	2.79%	2.79%	3.64%	0.00%	0.00%	8.80%	1.17%	2.06%	0.38%	0.83%	2.01%	2.24%

Drawdowns

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAFMX drawdown since its inception was -49.51%, which is greater than VIESX's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAFMX and VIESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAFMX	VIESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.51%	-35.10%	-14.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.85%	-10.58%	-2.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.51%	-35.10%	-14.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.51%	-35.10%	-14.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.15%	-8.91%	-15.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.75%	-9.81%	-6.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.66%	3.41%	+1.25%

Volatility

WAFMX vs. VIESX - Volatility Comparison

Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund (WAFMX) has a higher volatility of 7.93% compared to Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund (VIESX) at 5.08%. This indicates that WAFMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WAFMX	VIESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.93%	5.08%	+2.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.36%	8.38%	+2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	12.48%	+2.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.56%	13.13%	+4.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.75%	13.19%	+3.56%