FRSTX vs. NWXEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FRSTX (Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and NWXEX (Nationwide Strategic Income A) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FRSTX returned 2.65%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for NWXEX. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FRSTX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for NWXEX.

Performance

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Strategic Income Fund (FRSTX) 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, FRSTX achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than NWXEX's 2.17% return. Over the past 10 years, FRSTX has underperformed NWXEX with an annualized return of 2.65%, while NWXEX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.53% annualized return.

FRSTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 0.11%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 4.76%
• 5Y*: 1.46%
• 10Y*: 2.65%

NWXEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 6M: 2.67%
• 1Y: 6.77%
• 3Y*: 8.25%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

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

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FRSTX Franklin Strategic Income Fund	0.24%	5.97%	3.28%	8.44%	-10.72%	2.13%	3.49%	8.17%	-1.87%	4.50%
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	2.17%	6.97%	9.36%	9.00%	3.50%	4.64%	3.24%	9.84%	-0.39%	10.86%

Correlation

The correlation between FRSTX and NWXEX is -0.10, 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	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2015	0.23

The correlation between FRSTX and NWXEX shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FRSTX vs. NWXEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRSTX

FRSTX Risk / Return Rank: 24
FRSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FRSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
FRSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FRSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
FRSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Strategic Income Fund (FRSTX) 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.

	FRSTX	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	5.72	-4.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	10.13	-8.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	2.91	-1.65
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	16.02	-14.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.59	65.39	-59.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRSTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is lower than the NWXEX Sharpe Ratio of 5.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRSTX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FRSTX	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	5.72	-4.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	1.73	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	1.48	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.37	1.48	-0.11

Drawdowns

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRSTX drawdown since its inception was -19.09%, smaller than the maximum NWXEX drawdown of -22.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRSTX and NWXEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRSTX	NWXEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.09%	-22.97%	+3.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.95%	-0.43%	-2.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.40%	-1.89%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.83%	-5.60%	-9.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.63%	-22.97%	+5.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.52%	0.00%	-1.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-1.10%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.11%	+0.86%

Volatility

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Strategic Income Fund (FRSTX) has a higher volatility of 1.31% compared to Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX) at 0.29%. This indicates that FRSTX'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

	FRSTX	NWXEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	0.29%	+1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.76%	0.91%	+1.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.81%	1.21%	+2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.11%	3.66%	+0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.14%	4.42%	-0.28%

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRSTX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than NWXEX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRSTX vs. NWXEX - Dividend Comparison

FRSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, less than NWXEX's 5.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRSTX Franklin Strategic Income Fund	3.96%	3.36%	4.74%	4.56%	4.36%	3.62%	3.93%	4.47%	4.32%	2.25%	2.48%	4.81%
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	5.24%	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 FRSTX and NWXEX in my portfolio?

FRSTX and NWXEX have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRSTX or NWXEX?

FRSTX has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to NWXEX (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRSTX dropped -19.09% vs NWXEX's -22.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWXEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.72 vs 1.43), 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.