NDMAX vs. NWESX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

NDMAX (Nationwide Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund) and NWESX (Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund) are both mutual funds - NDMAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Nationwide, while NWESX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Nationwide. Over the past 10 years, NDMAX returned 9.27%/yr vs 5.57%/yr for NWESX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NDMAX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for NWESX.

Performance

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund (NDMAX) and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (NWESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NDMAX achieves a 8.88% return, which is significantly higher than NWESX's 4.06% return. Over the past 10 years, NDMAX has outperformed NWESX with an annualized return of 9.27%, while NWESX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.57% annualized return.

NDMAX

• 1D: -1.69%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 8.88%
• 6M: 8.10%
• 1Y: 20.12%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 7.41%
• 10Y*: 9.27%

NWESX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 4.06%
• 6M: 3.65%
• 1Y: 11.36%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 4.02%
• 10Y*: 5.57%

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

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NDMAX Nationwide Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund	8.88%	15.92%	12.14%	18.16%	-17.78%	14.69%	12.86%	19.67%	-8.68%	15.70%
NWESX Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund	4.06%	12.66%	6.15%	11.26%	-14.14%	6.52%	10.59%	12.62%	-4.88%	10.06%

Correlation

The correlation between NDMAX and NWESX is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2007	0.95

The correlation between NDMAX and NWESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NDMAX vs. NWESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NDMAX

NDMAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
NDMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
NDMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
NDMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
NDMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
NDMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

NWESX

NWESX Risk / Return Rank: 59
NWESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
NWESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
NWESX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
NWESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NWESX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund (NDMAX) and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (NWESX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NDMAX	NWESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.89	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.78	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.38	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.64	10.62	+1.02

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NDMAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the NWESX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NDMAX and NWESX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NDMAX drawdown since its inception was -47.85%, which is greater than NWESX's maximum drawdown of -39.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NDMAX and NWESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NDMAX	NWESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.85%	-39.22%	-8.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.75%	-5.12%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.33%	-6.44%	-6.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.51%	-25.05%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.00%	-25.05%	-7.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.97%	-1.14%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-6.16%	-2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.83%	1.15%	+0.68%

Volatility

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Volatility Comparison

Nationwide Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund (NDMAX) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (NWESX) at 2.65%. This indicates that NDMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NWESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NDMAX	NWESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	2.65%	+1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.23%	5.48%	+3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.00%	6.46%	+4.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.77%	9.18%	+4.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.46%	8.12%	+6.34%

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NDMAX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than NWESX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

NDMAX vs. NWESX - Dividend Comparison

NDMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.38%, more than NWESX's 3.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NDMAX Nationwide Investor Destinations Moderately Aggressive Fund	8.38%	9.28%	16.19%	6.30%	3.88%	5.83%	5.68%	8.26%	14.63%	10.61%	8.26%	7.82%
NWESX Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund	3.38%	3.78%	10.53%	5.51%	4.69%	10.16%	4.26%	4.93%	7.59%	5.04%	6.11%	8.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NDMAX and NWESX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, NDMAX and NWESX 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, NDMAX or NWESX?

NDMAX has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to NWESX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NDMAX dropped -47.85% vs NWESX's -39.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NDMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.89), 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.