NOFIX vs. GUGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NOFIX (Northern Fixed Income Fund) and GUGAX (GMO Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, NOFIX returned 1.58%/yr vs 1.52%/yr for GUGAX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.45% expense ratio.

Performance

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Fixed Income Fund (NOFIX) and GMO Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund (GUGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOFIX achieves a 0.15% return, which is significantly lower than GUGAX's 0.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NOFIX having a 1.58% annualized return and GUGAX not far behind at 1.52%.

NOFIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.15%
• 6M: 0.11%
• 1Y: 5.53%
• 3Y*: 3.74%
• 5Y*: -0.35%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

GUGAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.96%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 5.93%
• 3Y*: 4.32%
• 5Y*: -0.35%
• 10Y*: 1.52%

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

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOFIX Northern Fixed Income Fund	0.15%	6.39%	1.44%	5.32%	-14.91%	-0.36%	7.85%	10.76%	-2.15%	4.42%
GUGAX GMO Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund	0.96%	7.29%	0.96%	6.02%	-14.52%	-3.17%	4.91%	9.66%	2.13%	4.44%

Correlation

The correlation between NOFIX and GUGAX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 1998	0.75

The correlation between NOFIX and GUGAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NOFIX vs. GUGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOFIX

NOFIX Risk / Return Rank: 24
NOFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NOFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NOFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
NOFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NOFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

GUGAX

GUGAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
GUGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
GUGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
GUGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
GUGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
GUGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Fixed Income Fund (NOFIX) and GMO Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund (GUGAX). 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.

	NOFIX	GUGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.13	-0.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	3.47	-1.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.47	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	5.57	-3.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	16.20	-10.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the GUGAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOFIX and GUGAX, 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

	NOFIX	GUGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.13	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	-0.05	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.28	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.08	+0.80

Drawdowns

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOFIX drawdown since its inception was -20.04%, smaller than the maximum GUGAX drawdown of -38.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOFIX and GUGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOFIX	GUGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.04%	-38.57%	+18.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-1.16%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.61%	-6.12%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.04%	-20.53%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.04%	-23.06%	+3.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.33%	-6.72%	+2.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.55%	-11.27%	+8.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.43%	+0.61%

Volatility

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Volatility Comparison

Northern Fixed Income Fund (NOFIX) has a higher volatility of 1.36% compared to GMO Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund (GUGAX) at 0.00%. This indicates that NOFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GUGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOFIX	GUGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	0.00%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	1.43%	+1.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02%	3.05%	+0.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.98%	6.57%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	5.43%	-0.48%

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NOFIX and GUGAX have an expense ratio of 0.45%.

Dividends

NOFIX vs. GUGAX - Dividend Comparison

NOFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, less than GUGAX's 4.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GUGAX GMO Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund	4.52%	3.69%	4.34%	0.00%	1.94%	2.90%	7.96%	5.74%	5.08%	2.43%	3.29%	1.76%
NOFIX Northern Fixed Income Fund	4.17%	3.24%	3.93%	3.11%	1.91%	2.17%	2.77%	3.03%	3.64%	3.33%	2.53%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOFIX and GUGAX in my portfolio?

NOFIX and GUGAX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NOFIX or GUGAX?

NOFIX has higher volatility (1.36%) compared to GUGAX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOFIX dropped -20.04% vs GUGAX's -38.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GUGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.39), 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.