NOMIX vs. NCATX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NOMIX (Northern Mid Cap Index Fund) and NCATX (Northern California Tax Exempt Fund) are both mutual funds - NOMIX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Northern Funds, while NCATX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, NOMIX returned 11.11%/yr vs 1.56%/yr for NCATX. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. NOMIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for NCATX.

Performance

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Mid Cap Index Fund (NOMIX) and Northern California Tax Exempt Fund (NCATX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOMIX achieves a 14.09% return, which is significantly higher than NCATX's 1.10% return. Over the past 10 years, NOMIX has outperformed NCATX with an annualized return of 11.11%, while NCATX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.56% annualized return.

NOMIX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 14.09%
• 6M: 13.85%
• 1Y: 25.75%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 7.98%
• 10Y*: 11.11%

NCATX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: 6.42%
• 3Y*: 3.51%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.56%

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

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOMIX Northern Mid Cap Index Fund	14.09%	7.45%	13.41%	16.43%	-13.42%	24.47%	13.59%	25.94%	-11.31%	16.06%
NCATX Northern California Tax Exempt Fund	1.10%	3.65%	1.89%	5.74%	-11.26%	0.74%	4.85%	7.67%	1.00%	4.97%

Correlation

The correlation between NOMIX and NCATX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2005	-0.11

The correlation between NOMIX and NCATX shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NOMIX vs. NCATX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOMIX

NOMIX Risk / Return Rank: 42
NOMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
NOMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
NOMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
NOMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
NOMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NCATX

NCATX Risk / Return Rank: 67
NCATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
NCATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NCATX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
NCATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
NCATX 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.

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Mid Cap Index Fund (NOMIX) and Northern California Tax Exempt Fund (NCATX). 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	NCATX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	2.63	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	4.11	-1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.69	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.44	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.77	7.44	+3.33
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. NCATX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is lower than the NCATX Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOMIX and NCATX, 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	NCATX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58	2.63	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.02	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.37	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	1.05	-0.60

Drawdowns

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOMIX drawdown since its inception was -55.44%, which is greater than NCATX's maximum drawdown of -16.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOMIX and NCATX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOMIX	NCATX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.44%	-16.55%	-38.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-2.80%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.34%	-5.80%	-18.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.65%	-16.55%	-11.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.03%	-16.55%	-25.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-1.02%	+0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.92%	-2.42%	-5.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	0.91%	+1.49%

Volatility

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Volatility Comparison

Northern Mid Cap Index Fund (NOMIX) has a higher volatility of 4.39% compared to Northern California Tax Exempt Fund (NCATX) at 1.04%. This indicates that NOMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NCATX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOMIX	NCATX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	1.04%	+3.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.50%	2.04%	+10.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.58%	2.59%	+13.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.29%	4.14%	+17.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.81%	4.26%	+17.55%

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOMIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than NCATX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NOMIX vs. NCATX - Dividend Comparison

NOMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.08%, more than NCATX's 3.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NCATX Northern California Tax Exempt Fund	3.02%	2.85%	3.39%	2.46%	1.47%	2.18%	2.85%	3.82%	3.51%	3.19%	4.08%	3.21%
NOMIX Northern Mid Cap Index Fund	6.08%	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 NCATX in my portfolio?

NOMIX and NCATX have a correlation of 0.18, 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 NCATX?

NOMIX has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to NCATX (1.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOMIX dropped -55.44% vs NCATX's -16.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NCATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.58), 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.