NOCBX vs. NMIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NOCBX (Northern Core Bond Fund) and NMIEX (Northern Active M International Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - NOCBX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Northern Funds, while NMIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, NOCBX returned 1.20%/yr vs 10.39%/yr for NMIEX. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. NOCBX charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for NMIEX.

Performance

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Core Bond Fund (NOCBX) and Northern Active M International Equity Fund (NMIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOCBX achieves a -0.01% return, which is significantly lower than NMIEX's 10.60% return. Over the past 10 years, NOCBX has underperformed NMIEX with an annualized return of 1.20%, while NMIEX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.39% annualized return.

NOCBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: -0.07%
• 1Y: 5.04%
• 3Y*: 3.36%
• 5Y*: -0.53%
• 10Y*: 1.20%

NMIEX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 4.23%
• YTD: 10.60%
• 6M: 13.43%
• 1Y: 24.01%
• 3Y*: 18.80%
• 5Y*: 9.62%
• 10Y*: 10.39%

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

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOCBX Northern Core Bond Fund	-0.01%	6.17%	1.10%	5.07%	-14.51%	-1.62%	7.32%	9.76%	-1.03%	4.05%
NMIEX Northern Active M International Equity Fund	10.60%	34.98%	4.43%	20.82%	-17.17%	14.41%	11.70%	22.93%	-13.76%	29.06%

Correlation

The correlation between NOCBX and NMIEX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2006	-0.08

The correlation between NOCBX and NMIEX shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NOCBX vs. NMIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOCBX

NOCBX Risk / Return Rank: 20
NOCBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NOCBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
NOCBX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
NOCBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NOCBX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

NMIEX

NMIEX Risk / Return Rank: 32
NMIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
NMIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
NMIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
NMIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
NMIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Core Bond Fund (NOCBX) and Northern Active M International Equity Fund (NMIEX). 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.

	NOCBX	NMIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.63	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.35	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.31	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	2.01	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.86	7.62	-2.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOCBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the NMIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOCBX and NMIEX, 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

	NOCBX	NMIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	1.63	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	0.59	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.62	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.30	+0.39

Drawdowns

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOCBX drawdown since its inception was -20.02%, smaller than the maximum NMIEX drawdown of -55.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOCBX and NMIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOCBX	NMIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.02%	-55.92%	+35.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.17%	-12.08%	+8.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.61%	-14.58%	+7.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.95%	-31.54%	+11.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.02%	-36.63%	+16.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.17%	-0.42%	-4.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-12.88%	+9.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	3.15%	-2.10%

Volatility

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Northern Core Bond Fund (NOCBX) is 1.46%, while Northern Active M International Equity Fund (NMIEX) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that NOCBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NMIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOCBX	NMIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.46%	4.59%	-3.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.93%	12.68%	-9.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.98%	14.90%	-10.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	16.35%	-10.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.07%	16.95%	-11.88%

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOCBX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than NMIEX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

NOCBX vs. NMIEX - Dividend Comparison

NOCBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.04%, less than NMIEX's 9.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NMIEX Northern Active M International Equity Fund	9.44%	10.43%	14.92%	6.95%	1.53%	10.42%	0.80%	5.83%	6.65%	1.34%	1.73%	0.75%
NOCBX Northern Core Bond Fund	4.04%	3.14%	3.82%	2.99%	1.66%	1.56%	3.58%	2.75%	3.16%	2.88%	2.05%	3.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOCBX and NMIEX in my portfolio?

NOCBX and NMIEX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NOCBX or NMIEX?

NMIEX has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to NOCBX (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOCBX dropped -20.02% vs NMIEX's -55.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NMIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.29), 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.