Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund
VIESX
NASDAQ- -
USD
- -
- -
Capital Structure
FRC
•
in mil. unless spec.Working Capital
FRC
•
in mil. unless spec.Growth Rates
FRC
•
in mil. unless spec.Quarterly Revenue
FRC
•
in mil. unless spec.Quarterly Earnings Per Share
FRC
•
in mil. unless spec.Quarterly Dividends Per Share
FRC
•
in mil. unless spec.- Sector
- Financial Services
- Industry
- Asset Management
- Address
- 101 Munson Street Greenfield MA United States of America 01301
- IPO Date
- Dec 20, 2013
- CIK
- 0001005020
- Website
- virtus.com
- Similar Companies
- Business
- Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund (VIESX) is an open-end mutual fund that seeks attractive risk-adjusted long-term returns by investing primarily in equity securities of small-cap companies located in emerging markets, focusing on high-quality businesses with durable competitive advantages, excellent management, lower financial risk, and strong growth trajectories. The Fund employs a disciplined, bottom-up investment process to identify differentiated companies exhibiting above-average returns on capital and trading at attractive valuations; it maintains a high-conviction portfolio of 30-60 holdings, emphasizing lower volatility through selections characterized by solid balance sheets, consistent profitability, high free cash flow, and minimal debt needs. Key portfolio attributes include an average weighted market cap of $2.61-$3.9 billion, trailing P/E of approximately 16.7-17.1x, and sector overweightings in industrials (around 32%), communication services (17%), and information technology (13%); top holdings as of late 2025 feature Baltic Classifieds Group PLC, Grupa Pracuj SA, and Caixa Seguridade Participacoes SA, with geographic emphasis on Brazil, the United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and Poland. The Fund offers multiple share classes, including Class I (VIESX, no sales charge, minimum initial investment $100,000), Class A (VAESX, 5.50% front-end load), Class C (VCESX), and Class R6 (VRESX), with net expense ratios ranging from 1.30% to 1.70% after waivers through January 31, 2026; it benchmarks against the MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (net) and distributes dividends semi-annually. Managed by Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. since inception on December 17, 2013, with sub-advisory from Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC (founded 1984, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA), the Fund is led by portfolio managers Craig Thrasher (since 2013) and Hyung Kim (since 2017), supported by a team of analysts averaging 15 years of experience. Assets under management stand at approximately $327-$345 million across classes as of late 2025, domiciled in the United States and available for sale therein, targeting institutional and qualified retail investors seeking exposure to diversified emerging markets small-cap equities. In recent developments, effective January 21, 2026, Class C shares will no longer be available for purchase by new or existing shareholders; additionally, Virtus Investment Partners, the parent entity, announced an agreement on December 5, 2025, to add Keystone National Group as an investment manager affiliate, expanding its multi-boutique platform amid ongoing asset growth.