ESIIX vs. NWXEX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESIIX (Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I) and NWXEX (Nationwide Strategic Income A) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, ESIIX returned 5.23%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for NWXEX. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESIIX charges 1.21%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for NWXEX.

Performance

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ESIIX) and Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESIIX achieves a 2.48% return, which is significantly higher than NWXEX's 2.33% return. Over the past 10 years, ESIIX has underperformed NWXEX with an annualized return of 5.23%, while NWXEX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.53% annualized return.

ESIIX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.48%
• 6M: 2.99%
• 1Y: 9.72%
• 3Y*: 8.87%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: 5.23%

NWXEX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.43%
• 1Y: 6.47%
• 3Y*: 8.11%
• 5Y*: 6.31%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

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

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESIIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	2.48%	12.46%	6.66%	8.52%	-2.32%	1.59%	7.80%	7.65%	-2.44%	5.16%
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	2.33%	6.97%	9.36%	9.00%	3.50%	4.64%	3.24%	9.84%	-0.39%	10.86%

Correlation

The correlation between ESIIX and NWXEX is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2015	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between ESIIX and NWXEX has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ESIIX vs. NWXEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESIIX

ESIIX Risk / Return Rank: 93
ESIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ESIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ESIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ESIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
ESIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

NWXEX

NWXEX Risk / Return Rank: 99
NWXEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
NWXEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ESIIX) and Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX). 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.

	ESIIX	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.47	5.34	-1.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.07	9.23	-4.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.80	2.68	-0.88
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	15.06	-10.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.36	60.83	-45.47

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESIIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.47, which is lower than the NWXEX Sharpe Ratio of 5.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESIIX and NWXEX, 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

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESIIX drawdown since its inception was -26.87%, which is greater than NWXEX's maximum drawdown of -22.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESIIX and NWXEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESIIX	NWXEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.87%	-22.97%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.44%	-0.43%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.46%	-1.89%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.18%	-5.60%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.25%	-22.97%	+10.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.04%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.71%	-1.09%	-3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.64%	0.11%	+0.53%

Volatility

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I (ESIIX) has a higher volatility of 0.96% compared to Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX) at 0.38%. This indicates that ESIIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NWXEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESIIX	NWXEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	0.38%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.30%	0.93%	+1.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86%	1.22%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.20%	3.66%	-0.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.17%	4.41%	-1.24%

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESIIX has a 1.21% expense ratio, which is higher than NWXEX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESIIX vs. NWXEX - Dividend Comparison

ESIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.37%, more than NWXEX's 4.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESIIX Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund Class I	7.37%	7.01%	7.23%	7.19%	5.82%	4.57%	4.44%	5.29%	4.25%	3.95%	4.18%	4.59%
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	4.89%	4.93%	4.73%	4.33%	16.14%	3.99%	4.70%	3.63%	4.30%	8.40%	7.21%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESIIX and NWXEX in my portfolio?

ESIIX and NWXEX have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESIIX or NWXEX?

ESIIX has higher volatility (0.96%) compared to NWXEX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESIIX dropped -26.87% vs NWXEX's -22.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWXEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.34 vs 3.47), 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.