KSCOX vs. NSGRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KSCOX (Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund) and NSGRX (Northern Small Cap Core Fund) are both mutual funds - KSCOX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Kinetics, while NSGRX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, KSCOX returned 19.27%/yr vs 10.87%/yr for NSGRX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KSCOX charges 1.64%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for NSGRX.

Performance

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund (KSCOX) and Northern Small Cap Core Fund (NSGRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KSCOX achieves a 17.73% return, which is significantly higher than NSGRX's 16.84% return. Over the past 10 years, KSCOX has outperformed NSGRX with an annualized return of 19.27%, while NSGRX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.87% annualized return.

KSCOX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -7.02%
• YTD: 17.73%
• 6M: 13.43%
• 1Y: 4.10%
• 3Y*: 25.90%
• 5Y*: 14.50%
• 10Y*: 19.27%

NSGRX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 3.25%
• YTD: 16.84%
• 6M: 16.28%
• 1Y: 35.57%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KSCOX Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund	17.73%	-8.66%	68.42%	-14.77%	31.96%	50.32%	2.30%	27.06%	0.29%	26.23%
NSGRX Northern Small Cap Core Fund	16.84%	10.57%	10.44%	16.96%	-16.14%	19.99%	14.53%	23.30%	-10.22%	13.05%

Correlation

The correlation between KSCOX and NSGRX is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2000	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between KSCOX and NSGRX has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

KSCOX vs. NSGRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KSCOX

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

NSGRX

NSGRX Risk / Return Rank: 64
NSGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
NSGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
NSGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NSGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
NSGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund (KSCOX) and Northern Small Cap Core Fund (NSGRX). 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.

	KSCOX	NSGRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.20	2.12	-1.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	3.03	-2.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.37	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.28	4.45	-4.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.63	15.55	-14.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSCOX Sharpe Ratio is 0.20, which is lower than the NSGRX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSCOX and NSGRX, 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

	KSCOX	NSGRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20	2.12	-1.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.32	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.47	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.34	+0.24

Drawdowns

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSCOX drawdown since its inception was -70.09%, which is greater than NSGRX's maximum drawdown of -64.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSCOX and NSGRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KSCOX	NSGRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.09%	-64.89%	-5.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.82%	-8.66%	-10.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.10%	-26.45%	-6.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.10%	-32.31%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.09%	-40.37%	-6.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.24%	-0.21%	-19.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.89%	-22.17%	+7.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.24%	2.45%	+5.79%

Volatility

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Volatility Comparison

Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund (KSCOX) has a higher volatility of 6.04% compared to Northern Small Cap Core Fund (NSGRX) at 4.93%. This indicates that KSCOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NSGRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KSCOX	NSGRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.04%	4.93%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.67%	12.43%	+9.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.88%	18.13%	+7.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.83%	23.36%	+4.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.13%	23.38%	+2.75%

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KSCOX has a 1.64% expense ratio, which is higher than NSGRX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

KSCOX vs. NSGRX - Dividend Comparison

KSCOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than NSGRX's 13.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KSCOX Kinetics Small Cap Opportunities Fund	0.15%	0.18%	3.58%	6.71%	0.00%	1.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NSGRX Northern Small Cap Core Fund	13.57%	15.85%	17.77%	6.90%	0.55%	15.75%	5.00%	6.30%	1.26%	4.35%	0.67%	3.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KSCOX and NSGRX in my portfolio?

KSCOX and NSGRX have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KSCOX or NSGRX?

KSCOX has higher volatility (6.04%) compared to NSGRX (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSCOX dropped -70.09% vs NSGRX's -64.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSGRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.20), 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.