NMPAX vs. VEMPX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NMPAX (Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund) and VEMPX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NMPAX returned 10.60%/yr vs 12.10%/yr for VEMPX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NMPAX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VEMPX.

Performance

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund (NMPAX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NMPAX having a 14.02% return and VEMPX slightly lower at 13.78%. Over the past 10 years, NMPAX has underperformed VEMPX with an annualized return of 10.60%, while VEMPX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.10% annualized return.

NMPAX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 14.02%
• 6M: 13.69%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 15.92%
• 5Y*: 8.04%
• 10Y*: 10.60%

VEMPX

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 13.78%
• 6M: 11.95%
• 1Y: 28.76%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 6.56%
• 10Y*: 12.10%

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

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NMPAX Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund	14.02%	7.23%	13.67%	16.32%	-13.27%	24.66%	8.71%	25.99%	-11.44%	15.84%
VEMPX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	13.78%	11.43%	15.50%	26.98%	-26.45%	12.48%	32.24%	28.06%	-9.35%	18.13%

Correlation

The correlation between NMPAX and VEMPX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2010	0.96

The correlation between NMPAX and VEMPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NMPAX vs. VEMPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NMPAX

NMPAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
NMPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
NMPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
NMPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
NMPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
NMPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VEMPX

VEMPX Risk / Return Rank: 40
VEMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VEMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VEMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VEMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund (NMPAX) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX). 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.

	NMPAX	VEMPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.69	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.38	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.29	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	2.83	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.50	9.99	+0.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NMPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the VEMPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NMPAX and VEMPX, 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

	NMPAX	VEMPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.69	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.30	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.54	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.54	-0.11

Drawdowns

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NMPAX drawdown since its inception was -54.31%, which is greater than VEMPX's maximum drawdown of -41.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NMPAX and VEMPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NMPAX	VEMPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.31%	-41.62%	-12.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-10.25%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.03%	-26.83%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.03%	-36.32%	+12.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.09%	-41.62%	-0.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-1.01%	+0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.72%	-7.97%	+0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	2.89%	-0.48%

Volatility

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund (NMPAX) is 4.38%, while Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VEMPX) has a volatility of 4.83%. This indicates that NMPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEMPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NMPAX	VEMPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	4.83%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.35%	12.48%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.51%	17.21%	-1.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.71%	22.34%	-2.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.12%	22.36%	-1.24%

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NMPAX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMPX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NMPAX vs. VEMPX - Dividend Comparison

NMPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.19%, more than VEMPX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NMPAX Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund	8.19%	9.34%	11.35%	7.97%	11.65%	18.03%	5.96%	5.70%	10.06%	7.66%	7.97%	10.12%
VEMPX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.03%	1.15%	1.11%	1.27%	1.17%	1.15%	1.09%	1.32%	1.68%	1.27%	1.46%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NMPAX and VEMPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, NMPAX and VEMPX 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, NMPAX or VEMPX?

VEMPX has higher volatility (4.83%) compared to NMPAX (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NMPAX dropped -54.31% vs VEMPX's -41.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.64), 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.