NOSGX vs. SCHA

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

NOSGX (Northern Small Cap Value Fund) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - NOSGX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Northern Funds, while SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Over the past 10 years, NOSGX returned 8.60%/yr vs 10.88%/yr for SCHA. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NOSGX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Small Cap Value Fund (NOSGX) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with NOSGX having a 20.80% return and SCHA slightly higher at 21.01%. Over the past 10 years, NOSGX has underperformed SCHA with an annualized return of 8.60%, while SCHA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.88% annualized return.

NOSGX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 14.42%
• YTD: 20.80%
• 1Y: 31.42%
• 3Y*: 14.70%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 8.60%

SCHA

• 1D: -1.69%
• 1M: -1.21%
• 6M: 14.27%
• YTD: 21.01%
• 1Y: 33.94%
• 3Y*: 16.83%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: 10.88%

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

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOSGX Northern Small Cap Value Fund	20.80%	10.63%	2.60%	15.67%	-10.50%	26.17%	-2.29%	22.30%	-13.79%	6.47%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	21.01%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%

Correlation

The correlation between NOSGX and SCHA is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009	0.94

The correlation between NOSGX and SCHA shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.94 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NOSGX vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOSGX

NOSGX Risk / Return Rank: 71
NOSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
NOSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
NOSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NOSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NOSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 74
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Small Cap Value Fund (NOSGX) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NOSGX	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.79	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.56	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	3.59	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.71	12.73	-1.03

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOSGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOSGX and SCHA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOSGX drawdown since its inception was -56.92%, which is greater than SCHA's maximum drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOSGX and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOSGX	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.92%	-42.41%	-14.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.07%	-9.50%	+0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.13%	-27.29%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.34%	-30.79%	+2.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.66%	-42.41%	-3.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-5.01%	+4.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-7.54%	-1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	2.67%	-0.07%

Volatility

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Northern Small Cap Value Fund (NOSGX) is 3.64%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 6.97%. This indicates that NOSGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOSGX	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.64%	6.97%	-3.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.89%	14.39%	-2.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.72%	19.07%	-1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.74%	22.09%	+1.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.50%	22.74%	+1.76%

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOSGX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

NOSGX vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

NOSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 36.42%, more than SCHA's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOSGX Northern Small Cap Value Fund	36.42%	43.99%	57.55%	6.99%	5.84%	16.35%	1.96%	7.08%	11.90%	9.76%	2.26%	4.50%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.04%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOSGX and SCHA in my portfolio?

NOSGX and SCHA have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NOSGX or SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (6.97%) compared to NOSGX (3.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOSGX dropped -56.92% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.72), 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.