HACBX vs. NMKBX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HACBX (Harbor Core Bond Fund) and NMKBX (North Square McKee Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, HACBX returned 0.08%/yr vs 0.92%/yr for NMKBX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HACBX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for NMKBX.

Performance

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Core Bond Fund (HACBX) and North Square McKee Bond Fund (NMKBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HACBX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than NMKBX's 0.49% return.

HACBX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.42%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 0.08%
• 10Y*: —

NMKBX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.49%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.55%
• 3Y*: 4.50%
• 5Y*: 0.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HACBX Harbor Core Bond Fund	0.42%	7.02%	1.57%	5.73%	-13.36%	-1.66%	0.09%
NMKBX North Square McKee Bond Fund	0.49%	7.26%	1.78%	5.96%	-9.46%	-1.24%	0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between HACBX and NMKBX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.95

The correlation between HACBX and NMKBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HACBX vs. NMKBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HACBX

HACBX Risk / Return Rank: 22
HACBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
HACBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
HACBX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
HACBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
HACBX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

NMKBX

NMKBX Risk / Return Rank: 25
NMKBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
NMKBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
NMKBX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
NMKBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
NMKBX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Core Bond Fund (HACBX) and North Square McKee Bond Fund (NMKBX). 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.

	HACBX	NMKBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.42	-0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.11	-0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.25	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	2.02	-0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.90	6.26	-0.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HACBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the NMKBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HACBX and NMKBX, 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

	HACBX	NMKBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31	1.42	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.17	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.14	+0.27

Drawdowns

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HACBX drawdown since its inception was -18.48%, which is greater than NMKBX's maximum drawdown of -14.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HACBX and NMKBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HACBX	NMKBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.48%	-14.25%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.80%	-2.69%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.26%	-6.84%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.43%	-14.25%	-4.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.71%	-1.34%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-4.53%	-0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.87%	+0.03%

Volatility

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Core Bond Fund (HACBX) has a higher volatility of 1.37% compared to North Square McKee Bond Fund (NMKBX) at 1.26%. This indicates that HACBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NMKBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HACBX	NMKBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	1.26%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.75%	2.67%	+0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.86%	3.77%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.93%	5.42%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.26%	5.24%	+0.02%

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HACBX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than NMKBX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

HACBX vs. NMKBX - Dividend Comparison

HACBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, more than NMKBX's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HACBX Harbor Core Bond Fund	4.52%	4.50%	4.21%	3.83%	3.15%	2.18%	4.43%	3.55%	1.73%
NMKBX North Square McKee Bond Fund	4.19%	4.25%	4.19%	3.54%	2.12%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HACBX and NMKBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, HACBX and NMKBX 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, HACBX or NMKBX?

HACBX has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to NMKBX (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HACBX dropped -18.48% vs NMKBX's -14.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NMKBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.31), 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.