NOSIX vs. VBIMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NOSIX (Northern Stock Index Fund) and VBIMX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - NOSIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Northern Funds, while VBIMX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, NOSIX returned 15.56%/yr vs 1.92%/yr for VBIMX. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Stock Index Fund (NOSIX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBIMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NOSIX achieves a 11.68% return, which is significantly higher than VBIMX's -0.04% return. Over the past 10 years, NOSIX has outperformed VBIMX with an annualized return of 15.56%, while VBIMX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.92% annualized return.

NOSIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.68%
• 6M: 11.72%
• 1Y: 28.94%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 14.18%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

VBIMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: -0.04%
• 6M: -0.25%
• 1Y: 5.09%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 0.33%
• 10Y*: 1.92%

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

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOSIX Northern Stock Index Fund	11.68%	17.83%	24.87%	26.24%	-18.25%	28.55%	18.33%	31.35%	-4.54%	21.71%
VBIMX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	-0.04%	8.59%	1.55%	5.78%	-13.25%	-2.50%	9.83%	10.22%	-0.13%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between NOSIX and VBIMX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2006	-0.21

The correlation between NOSIX and VBIMX shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NOSIX vs. VBIMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NOSIX

NOSIX Risk / Return Rank: 74
NOSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
NOSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
NOSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
NOSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NOSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VBIMX

VBIMX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VBIMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBIMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBIMX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VBIMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VBIMX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Stock Index Fund (NOSIX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBIMX). 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.

	NOSIX	VBIMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	1.22	+1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	1.84	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.22	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	1.49	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.86	4.52	+11.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the VBIMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOSIX and VBIMX, 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

	NOSIX	VBIMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	1.22	+1.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.05	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.36	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.67	-0.17

Drawdowns

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOSIX drawdown since its inception was -55.42%, which is greater than VBIMX's maximum drawdown of -19.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOSIX and VBIMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOSIX	VBIMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.42%	-19.07%	-36.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-3.42%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-6.05%	-12.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.54%	-18.84%	-5.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.82%	-19.07%	-14.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.83%	+1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.33%	-3.32%	-7.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	1.13%	+0.76%

Volatility

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Volatility Comparison

Northern Stock Index Fund (NOSIX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBIMX) at 1.44%. This indicates that NOSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NOSIX	VBIMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	1.44%	+1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.97%	3.01%	+5.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.95%	4.19%	+7.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.20%	6.39%	+10.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.21%	5.38%	+12.83%

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NOSIX and VBIMX have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NOSIX vs. VBIMX - Dividend Comparison

NOSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, less than VBIMX's 4.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOSIX Northern Stock Index Fund	2.64%	2.94%	2.59%	5.02%	4.72%	3.22%	4.00%	2.41%	4.82%	3.13%	2.76%	3.36%
VBIMX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.23%	4.03%	3.82%	2.82%	2.41%	3.23%	2.95%	2.75%	2.89%	2.76%	3.08%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOSIX and VBIMX in my portfolio?

NOSIX and VBIMX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NOSIX or VBIMX?

NOSIX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VBIMX (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOSIX dropped -55.42% vs VBIMX's -19.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NOSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.22), 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.