NOLCX vs. NUESX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

NOLCX (Northern Large Cap Core Fund) and NUESX (Northern U.S. Quality ESG Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Northern Funds. Over the past 5 years, NOLCX returned 14.97%/yr vs 11.73%/yr for NUESX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NOLCX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for NUESX.

Performance

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Large Cap Core Fund (NOLCX) and Northern U.S. Quality ESG Fund (NUESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOLCX achieves a 10.47% return, which is significantly higher than NUESX's 8.59% return.

NOLCX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 10.47%
• 6M: 10.33%
• 1Y: 30.76%
• 3Y*: 24.19%
• 5Y*: 14.97%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

NUESX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 2.72%
• YTD: 8.59%
• 6M: 8.36%
• 1Y: 24.82%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 11.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NOLCX Northern Large Cap Core Fund	10.47%	21.83%	26.04%	24.32%	-15.59%	32.90%	11.96%	25.64%	-6.43%
NUESX Northern U.S. Quality ESG Fund	8.59%	15.33%	20.67%	25.22%	-18.85%	31.26%	20.20%	31.40%	-4.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NOLCX and NUESX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018	0.98

The correlation between NOLCX and NUESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NOLCX vs. NUESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOLCX

NOLCX Risk / Return Rank: 82
NOLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
NOLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
NOLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NOLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
NOLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

NUESX

NUESX Risk / Return Rank: 52
NUESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
NUESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NUESX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NUESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
NUESX 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.

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Large Cap Core Fund (NOLCX) and Northern U.S. Quality ESG Fund (NUESX). 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.

	NOLCX	NUESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.01	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	2.84	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.36	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	2.66	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.47	11.87	+5.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOLCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is higher than the NUESX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOLCX and NUESX, 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

	NOLCX	NUESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.01	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.68	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.74	-0.21

Drawdowns

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOLCX drawdown since its inception was -56.64%, which is greater than NUESX's maximum drawdown of -33.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOLCX and NUESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOLCX	NUESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.64%	-33.33%	-23.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.20%	-9.41%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.03%	-19.41%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.63%	-24.96%	-5.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.34%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.85%	-5.22%	-3.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	2.09%	-0.33%

Volatility

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Northern Large Cap Core Fund (NOLCX) is 2.55%, while Northern U.S. Quality ESG Fund (NUESX) has a volatility of 2.73%. This indicates that NOLCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOLCX	NUESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	2.73%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.65%	9.36%	-0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.77%	12.46%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.09%	17.43%	+1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.25%	19.64%	-0.39%

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOLCX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than NUESX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

NOLCX vs. NUESX - Dividend Comparison

NOLCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.77%, less than NUESX's 11.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOLCX Northern Large Cap Core Fund	7.77%	8.57%	9.09%	8.96%	5.02%	14.82%	1.35%	3.93%	2.49%	2.63%	1.78%	1.87%
NUESX Northern U.S. Quality ESG Fund	11.72%	12.68%	1.50%	1.54%	3.71%	5.97%	1.60%	1.62%	2.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOLCX and NUESX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, NOLCX and NUESX 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, NOLCX or NUESX?

NUESX has higher volatility (2.73%) compared to NOLCX (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOLCX dropped -56.64% vs NUESX's -33.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NOLCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.01), 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.