NIFAX vs. GMXAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

NIFAX (Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund) and GMXAX (Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund) are both mutual funds - NIFAX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Nationwide, while GMXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Nationwide. Over the past 10 years, NIFAX returned 2.54%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for GMXAX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. NIFAX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GMXAX.

Performance

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NIFAX achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly lower than GMXAX's 14.28% return. Over the past 10 years, NIFAX has underperformed GMXAX with an annualized return of 2.54%, while GMXAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.36% annualized return.

NIFAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: 1.08%
• 1Y: 4.22%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: 0.57%
• 10Y*: 2.54%

GMXAX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 14.28%
• 6M: 13.96%
• 1Y: 25.74%
• 3Y*: 15.71%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 9.36%

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

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NIFAX Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund	1.23%	6.32%	1.45%	3.61%	-12.59%	4.69%	10.66%	12.06%	-1.87%	2.60%
GMXAX Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund	14.28%	6.84%	12.15%	15.89%	-13.45%	24.33%	12.79%	25.35%	-10.65%	2.80%

Correlation

The correlation between NIFAX and GMXAX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	-0.03

The correlation between NIFAX and GMXAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.19 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NIFAX vs. GMXAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NIFAX

NIFAX Risk / Return Rank: 25
NIFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
NIFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
NIFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NIFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NIFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

GMXAX

GMXAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
GMXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
GMXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
GMXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
GMXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
GMXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (NIFAX) and Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX). 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.

	NIFAX	GMXAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	1.67	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.43	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.29	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.91	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.96	10.55	-4.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NIFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is comparable to the GMXAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NIFAX and GMXAX, 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

	NIFAX	GMXAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	1.67	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.39	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.44	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.41	-0.09

Drawdowns

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIFAX drawdown since its inception was -15.19%, smaller than the maximum GMXAX drawdown of -55.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIFAX and GMXAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIFAX	GMXAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.19%	-55.64%	+40.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.98%	-8.83%	+6.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.65%	-24.21%	+19.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.19%	-24.21%	+9.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.19%	-42.22%	+27.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.80%	0.00%	-1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.83%	-8.06%	+3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.68%	2.43%	-1.75%

Volatility

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (NIFAX) is 0.81%, while Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX) has a volatility of 4.21%. This indicates that NIFAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GMXAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NIFAX	GMXAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.81%	4.21%	-3.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.09%	11.27%	-9.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19%	15.38%	-12.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.86%	19.69%	-13.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.38%	21.30%	-15.92%

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIFAX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than GMXAX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIFAX vs. GMXAX - Dividend Comparison

NIFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.67%, less than GMXAX's 11.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GMXAX Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund	11.40%	12.93%	11.73%	6.17%	9.58%	12.52%	3.18%	5.18%	23.21%	0.85%	9.60%	13.94%
NIFAX Nationwide Inflation-Protected Securities Fund	3.67%	3.99%	3.17%	3.90%	6.60%	5.29%	0.94%	4.94%	1.79%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NIFAX and GMXAX in my portfolio?

NIFAX and GMXAX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NIFAX or GMXAX?

GMXAX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to NIFAX (0.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NIFAX dropped -15.19% vs GMXAX's -55.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMXAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.27), 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.