FISGX vs. SMCWX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FISGX (Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund) and SMCWX (American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - FISGX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Nuveen, while SMCWX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, FISGX returned 12.26%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for SMCWX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FISGX charges 0.92%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for SMCWX.

Performance

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FISGX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FISGX achieves a 7.45% return, which is significantly lower than SMCWX's 9.99% return. Over the past 10 years, FISGX has outperformed SMCWX with an annualized return of 12.26%, while SMCWX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.35% annualized return.

FISGX

• 1D: 2.72%
• 1M: -7.17%
• 6M: 4.03%
• YTD: 7.45%
• 1Y: 14.67%
• 3Y*: 10.61%
• 5Y*: 1.32%
• 10Y*: 12.26%
• ALL TIME*: 10.74%

SMCWX

• 1D: 2.71%
• 1M: -4.41%
• 6M: 6.23%
• YTD: 9.99%
• 1Y: 18.05%
• 3Y*: 9.61%
• 5Y*: 1.16%
• 10Y*: 9.35%
• ALL TIME*: 9.39%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FISGX Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FISGX Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund	7.45%	7.83%	13.65%	20.26%	-30.11%	5.01%	46.58%	66.58%	-9.33%	24.98%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	9.99%	14.07%	2.33%	18.86%	-29.90%	10.14%	37.46%	30.79%	-9.75%	26.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FISGX and SMCWX is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 1990	0.86

The correlation between FISGX and SMCWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FISGX vs. SMCWX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FISGX

FISGX Risk / Return Rank: 17
FISGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
FISGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
FISGX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FISGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
FISGX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

SMCWX

SMCWX Risk / Return Rank: 30
SMCWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
SMCWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SMCWX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
SMCWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
SMCWX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FISGX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). 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.

	FISGX	SMCWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	0.91	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	1.41	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.17	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	1.36	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.37	4.93	-1.55

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FISGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the SMCWX Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FISGX and SMCWX, 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

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FISGX drawdown since its inception was -57.51%, smaller than the maximum SMCWX drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FISGX and SMCWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FISGX	SMCWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.51%	-62.46%	+4.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.33%	-11.83%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.16%	-21.40%	-6.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.30%	-39.79%	-3.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.30%	-39.79%	-3.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.94%	-6.28%	-3.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-14.86%	+5.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	3.26%	+0.47%

Volatility

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund (FISGX) has a higher volatility of 6.49% compared to American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) at 5.86%. This indicates that FISGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMCWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FISGX	SMCWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.49%	5.86%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.03%	14.97%	+2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.11%	17.64%	+3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.76%	18.53%	+5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.10%	17.94%	+6.16%

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FISGX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is lower than SMCWX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

FISGX vs. SMCWX - Dividend Comparison

FISGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.77%, more than SMCWX's 4.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FISGX Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund	7.77%	8.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	23.94%	9.97%	38.61%	19.12%	17.17%	4.01%	7.82%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	4.37%	4.84%	0.60%	0.64%	0.00%	9.24%	1.60%	4.24%	7.06%	4.48%	0.35%	6.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FISGX and SMCWX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FISGX and SMCWX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FISGX or SMCWX?

FISGX has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to SMCWX (5.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FISGX dropped -57.51% vs SMCWX's -62.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMCWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.91 vs 0.60), 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.