FGSAX vs. NOIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FGSAX (Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund) and NOIEX (Northern Income Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - FGSAX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Federated, while NOIEX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, FGSAX returned 15.12%/yr vs 14.02%/yr for NOIEX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGSAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for NOIEX.

Performance

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund (FGSAX) and Northern Income Equity Fund (NOIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGSAX achieves a 1.66% return, which is significantly lower than NOIEX's 12.80% return. Over the past 10 years, FGSAX has outperformed NOIEX with an annualized return of 15.12%, while NOIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.02% annualized return.

FGSAX

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 2.76%
• YTD: 1.66%
• 6M: 2.62%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 10.98%
• 10Y*: 15.12%

NOIEX

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 6.04%
• YTD: 12.80%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 30.77%
• 3Y*: 22.92%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 14.02%

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

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGSAX Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund	1.66%	10.54%	32.97%	27.05%	-24.60%	22.39%	35.50%	27.95%	-3.23%	24.38%
NOIEX Northern Income Equity Fund	12.80%	18.81%	24.28%	19.56%	-13.34%	27.96%	11.03%	27.04%	-6.62%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FGSAX and NOIEX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 1994	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between FGSAX and NOIEX has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FGSAX vs. NOIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGSAX

FGSAX Risk / Return Rank: 5
FGSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
FGSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
FGSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
FGSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
FGSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

NOIEX

NOIEX Risk / Return Rank: 83
NOIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NOIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NOIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
NOIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
NOIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund (FGSAX) and Northern Income Equity Fund (NOIEX). 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.

	FGSAX	NOIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.32	2.74	-2.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.59	3.79	-3.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.51	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.40	3.85	-3.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.11	17.52	-16.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGSAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.32, which is lower than the NOIEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGSAX and NOIEX, 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

	FGSAX	NOIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32	2.74	-2.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.88	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.78	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.69	-0.20

Drawdowns

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGSAX drawdown since its inception was -66.17%, which is greater than NOIEX's maximum drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGSAX and NOIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGSAX	NOIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.17%	-45.66%	-20.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.73%	-8.39%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.51%	-18.06%	-6.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.79%	-21.89%	-13.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-35.31%	-1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.06%	0.00%	-3.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.15%	-4.99%	-11.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.90%	1.82%	+3.08%

Volatility

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund (FGSAX) has a higher volatility of 3.54% compared to Northern Income Equity Fund (NOIEX) at 2.73%. This indicates that FGSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NOIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGSAX	NOIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	2.73%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.72%	8.71%	+5.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.85%	11.78%	+5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.41%	16.36%	+6.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.32%	17.96%	+4.36%

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGSAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than NOIEX's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGSAX vs. NOIEX - Dividend Comparison

FGSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.84%, less than NOIEX's 7.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGSAX Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund	4.84%	4.92%	4.32%	0.00%	2.31%	25.75%	7.07%	8.13%	14.46%	13.93%	0.89%	25.34%
NOIEX Northern Income Equity Fund	7.15%	7.92%	6.11%	7.03%	5.44%	14.26%	7.67%	8.58%	15.73%	7.56%	3.02%	5.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGSAX and NOIEX in my portfolio?

FGSAX and NOIEX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FGSAX or NOIEX?

FGSAX has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to NOIEX (2.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGSAX dropped -66.17% vs NOIEX's -45.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NOIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 0.32), 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.