MXLSX vs. NSDVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MXLSX (Great-West Small Cap Value Fund) and NSDVX (North Star Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MXLSX returned 9.07%/yr vs 7.17%/yr for NSDVX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MXLSX charges 1.09%/yr vs 1.37%/yr for NSDVX.

Performance

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Great-West Small Cap Value Fund (MXLSX) and North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MXLSX having a 14.97% return and NSDVX slightly higher at 15.13%. Over the past 10 years, MXLSX has outperformed NSDVX with an annualized return of 9.07%, while NSDVX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.17% annualized return.

MXLSX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 14.97%
• 6M: 14.60%
• 1Y: 26.57%
• 3Y*: 13.96%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 9.07%

NSDVX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 15.13%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 20.82%
• 3Y*: 11.37%
• 5Y*: 3.62%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

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

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MXLSX Great-West Small Cap Value Fund	14.97%	4.08%	8.20%	17.81%	-10.07%	31.12%	2.84%	24.67%	-16.64%	8.44%
NSDVX North Star Dividend Fund	15.13%	-1.31%	9.25%	8.06%	-6.36%	16.16%	6.51%	16.13%	-12.35%	8.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MXLSX and NSDVX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2013	0.80

The correlation between MXLSX and NSDVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MXLSX vs. NSDVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MXLSX

MXLSX Risk / Return Rank: 46
MXLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
MXLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
MXLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
MXLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
MXLSX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

NSDVX

NSDVX Risk / Return Rank: 28
NSDVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
NSDVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NSDVX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
NSDVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NSDVX 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.

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Great-West Small Cap Value Fund (MXLSX) and North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX). 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.

	MXLSX	NSDVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.51	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	2.26	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.27	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.13	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.65	6.22	+3.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MXLSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the NSDVX Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MXLSX and NSDVX, 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

	MXLSX	NSDVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	1.51	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.23	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.41	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.47	-0.20

Drawdowns

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MXLSX drawdown since its inception was -60.41%, which is greater than NSDVX's maximum drawdown of -38.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MXLSX and NSDVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MXLSX	NSDVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.41%	-38.64%	-21.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.84%	-10.48%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.04%	-16.41%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-22.58%	-3.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.52%	-38.64%	-4.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	-1.16%	+0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.14%	-6.55%	-5.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	3.57%	-0.46%

Volatility

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Volatility Comparison

Great-West Small Cap Value Fund (MXLSX) has a higher volatility of 4.26% compared to North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX) at 3.51%. This indicates that MXLSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NSDVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MXLSX	NSDVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	3.51%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	9.39%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	14.72%	+1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	16.07%	+4.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.30%	17.69%	+4.61%

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MXLSX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is lower than NSDVX's 1.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

MXLSX vs. NSDVX - Dividend Comparison

MXLSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than NSDVX's 2.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MXLSX Great-West Small Cap Value Fund	0.42%	0.48%	1.07%	2.24%	2.93%	6.23%	0.23%	0.47%	2.92%	5.29%	0.00%	0.00%
NSDVX North Star Dividend Fund	2.90%	3.45%	7.00%	2.52%	6.57%	3.31%	1.52%	2.64%	6.87%	2.48%	4.67%	3.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MXLSX and NSDVX in my portfolio?

MXLSX and NSDVX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MXLSX or NSDVX?

MXLSX has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to NSDVX (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MXLSX dropped -60.41% vs NSDVX's -38.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MXLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.51), 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.