GMXAX vs. AVEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GMXAX (Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund) and AVEMX (Ave Maria Value Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GMXAX returned 9.42%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for AVEMX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GMXAX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for AVEMX.

Performance

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX) and Ave Maria Value Fund (AVEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GMXAX achieves a 13.94% return, which is significantly higher than AVEMX's 9.67% return. Over the past 10 years, GMXAX has underperformed AVEMX with an annualized return of 9.42%, while AVEMX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.74% annualized return.

GMXAX

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 13.94%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 24.97%
• 3Y*: 15.19%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 9.42%

AVEMX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 6.37%
• 1Y: 6.83%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

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

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GMXAX Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund	13.94%	6.84%	12.15%	15.89%	-13.45%	24.33%	12.79%	25.35%	-10.65%	2.80%
AVEMX Ave Maria Value Fund	9.67%	2.82%	21.43%	3.49%	4.19%	25.15%	6.20%	20.51%	-8.70%	17.75%

Correlation

The correlation between GMXAX and AVEMX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2001	0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between GMXAX and AVEMX has dropped to 0.68 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GMXAX vs. AVEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMXAX

GMXAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
GMXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
GMXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
GMXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
GMXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
GMXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

AVEMX

AVEMX Risk / Return Rank: 6
AVEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
AVEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
AVEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
AVEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
AVEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX) and Ave Maria Value Fund (AVEMX). 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.

	GMXAX	AVEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	0.45	+1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	0.72	+1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.09	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	0.80	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	1.77	+9.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMXAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the AVEMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMXAX and AVEMX, 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

	GMXAX	AVEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	0.45	+1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.47	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.58	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.40	+0.01

Drawdowns

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMXAX drawdown since its inception was -55.64%, smaller than the maximum AVEMX drawdown of -59.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMXAX and AVEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMXAX	AVEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.64%	-59.76%	+4.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.83%	-9.20%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.21%	-18.64%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.21%	-18.64%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.22%	-39.76%	-2.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.28%	+7.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.06%	-8.62%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.43%	4.18%	-1.75%

Volatility

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Volatility Comparison

Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX) has a higher volatility of 4.42% compared to Ave Maria Value Fund (AVEMX) at 3.52%. This indicates that GMXAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GMXAX	AVEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	3.52%	+0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.29%	12.33%	-1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	16.40%	-0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.70%	18.45%	+1.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.31%	18.49%	+2.82%

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GMXAX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than AVEMX's 0.97% expense ratio.

Dividends

GMXAX vs. AVEMX - Dividend Comparison

GMXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.44%, more than AVEMX's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEMX Ave Maria Value Fund	0.31%	0.34%	8.81%	4.42%	1.15%	8.07%	3.57%	5.27%	10.76%	7.84%	0.00%	0.12%
GMXAX Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund	11.44%	12.93%	11.73%	6.17%	9.58%	12.52%	3.18%	5.18%	23.21%	0.85%	9.60%	13.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GMXAX and AVEMX in my portfolio?

GMXAX and AVEMX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GMXAX or AVEMX?

GMXAX has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to AVEMX (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMXAX dropped -55.64% vs AVEMX's -59.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMXAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.45), 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.