BSBAX vs. NOBOX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BSBAX (Northern Short Bond Fund) and NOBOX (Northern Bond Index Fund) are both mutual funds - BSBAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by Northern Funds, while NOBOX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, BSBAX returned 1.95%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for NOBOX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BSBAX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for NOBOX.

Performance

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Short Bond Fund (BSBAX) and Northern Bond Index Fund (NOBOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSBAX achieves a 0.57% return, which is significantly higher than NOBOX's -0.07% return. Over the past 10 years, BSBAX has outperformed NOBOX with an annualized return of 1.95%, while NOBOX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.13% annualized return.

BSBAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.57%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 3.92%
• 3Y*: 4.02%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 1.95%

NOBOX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: -0.07%
• 6M: 0.30%
• 1Y: 4.58%
• 3Y*: 3.27%
• 5Y*: -0.68%
• 10Y*: 1.13%

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

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSBAX Northern Short Bond Fund	0.57%	4.46%	4.07%	4.52%	-4.89%	-0.44%	3.73%	5.19%	0.73%	1.59%
NOBOX Northern Bond Index Fund	-0.07%	6.14%	0.82%	4.86%	-13.84%	-2.10%	7.20%	8.73%	-0.17%	3.60%

Correlation

The correlation between BSBAX and NOBOX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2007	0.73

The correlation between BSBAX and NOBOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BSBAX vs. NOBOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSBAX

BSBAX Risk / Return Rank: 77
BSBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BSBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BSBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BSBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BSBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

NOBOX

NOBOX Risk / Return Rank: 16
NOBOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
NOBOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
NOBOX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
NOBOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
NOBOX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Short Bond Fund (BSBAX) and Northern Bond Index Fund (NOBOX). 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.

	BSBAX	NOBOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.08	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.81	1.66	+3.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.20	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	1.35	+1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.20	4.02	+7.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSBAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the NOBOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSBAX and NOBOX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BSBAX	NOBOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.08	+1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	-0.11	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.09	0.23	+0.87
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.68	0.59	+1.09

Drawdowns

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSBAX drawdown since its inception was -7.31%, smaller than the maximum NOBOX drawdown of -20.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSBAX and NOBOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSBAX	NOBOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.31%	-20.03%	+12.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.19%	-3.28%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.20%	-6.27%	+5.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.31%	-19.15%	+11.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.31%	-20.03%	+12.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-6.02%	+5.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.62%	-3.55%	+2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	1.09%	-0.74%

Volatility

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Northern Short Bond Fund (BSBAX) is 0.63%, while Northern Bond Index Fund (NOBOX) has a volatility of 1.47%. This indicates that BSBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NOBOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSBAX	NOBOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	1.47%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.20%	3.05%	-1.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69%	4.13%	-2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.12%	6.09%	-3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.79%	5.03%	-3.24%

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSBAX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than NOBOX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSBAX vs. NOBOX - Dividend Comparison

BSBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.08%, more than NOBOX's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSBAX Northern Short Bond Fund	4.08%	3.20%	3.54%	2.49%	0.94%	1.20%	2.00%	2.62%	2.57%	1.85%	1.43%	1.25%
NOBOX Northern Bond Index Fund	3.74%	2.88%	3.46%	2.63%	1.53%	2.10%	3.12%	3.18%	2.80%	2.77%	2.45%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSBAX and NOBOX in my portfolio?

BSBAX and NOBOX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSBAX or NOBOX?

NOBOX has higher volatility (1.47%) compared to BSBAX (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSBAX dropped -7.31% vs NOBOX's -20.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.08), 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.