NOMIX vs. MDY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NOMIX (Northern Mid Cap Index Fund) and MDY (SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF) are both funds - NOMIX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Northern Funds, while MDY is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Over the past 10 years, NOMIX returned 11.02%/yr vs 11.05%/yr for MDY. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NOMIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for MDY.

Performance

NOMIX vs. MDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Mid Cap Index Fund (NOMIX) and SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF (MDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOMIX achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly lower than MDY's 14.02% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NOMIX having a 11.02% annualized return and MDY not far ahead at 11.05%.

NOMIX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 6M: 14.27%
• 1Y: 25.99%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: 7.81%
• 10Y*: 11.02%

MDY

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 14.02%
• 6M: 15.05%
• 1Y: 26.67%
• 3Y*: 15.81%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 11.05%

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

NOMIX vs. MDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOMIX Northern Mid Cap Index Fund	13.17%	7.45%	13.41%	16.43%	-13.42%	24.47%	13.59%	25.94%	-11.31%	16.06%
MDY SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF	14.02%	7.19%	13.64%	16.07%	-13.28%	24.53%	13.50%	25.78%	-11.29%	15.93%

Correlation

The correlation between NOMIX and MDY is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2005	0.98

The correlation between NOMIX and MDY shifts across timeframes, from 0.87 (1 year) to 0.98 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NOMIX vs. MDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOMIX

NOMIX Risk / Return Rank: 41
NOMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
NOMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
NOMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
NOMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
NOMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

MDY

MDY Risk / Return Rank: 54
MDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
MDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
MDY Omega Ratio Rank: 48
MDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MDY Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

NOMIX vs. MDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Mid Cap Index Fund (NOMIX) and SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF (MDY). 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.

	NOMIX	MDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.73	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.52	-0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.31	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.01	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	10.99	+0.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NOMIX vs. MDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the MDY Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOMIX and MDY, 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

	NOMIX	MDY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	1.73	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.41	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.52	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.53	-0.08

Drawdowns

NOMIX vs. MDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOMIX drawdown since its inception was -55.44%, roughly equal to the maximum MDY drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOMIX and MDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOMIX	MDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.44%	-55.33%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-8.82%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.34%	-24.03%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.65%	-24.03%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.03%	-42.22%	+0.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	0.00%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.92%	-7.03%	-0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	2.42%	-0.02%

Volatility

NOMIX vs. MDY - Volatility Comparison

Northern Mid Cap Index Fund (NOMIX) and SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF (MDY) have volatilities of 4.39% and 4.40%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOMIX	MDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	4.40%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.60%	11.30%	+1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.60%	15.48%	+1.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.29%	19.77%	+1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.81%	21.19%	+0.62%

NOMIX vs. MDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOMIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than MDY's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NOMIX vs. MDY - Dividend Comparison

NOMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.13%, more than MDY's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDY SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF	1.04%	1.15%	1.18%	1.21%	1.37%	0.96%	1.12%	1.34%	1.39%	1.18%	1.31%	1.35%
NOMIX Northern Mid Cap Index Fund	6.13%	6.93%	9.67%	8.01%	10.43%	10.30%	4.80%	2.21%	9.23%	7.46%	6.46%	8.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOMIX and MDY in my portfolio?

NOMIX and MDY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NOMIX or MDY?

MDY has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to NOMIX (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOMIX dropped -55.44% vs MDY's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.59), 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.