NOSIX vs. VSTSX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NOSIX (Northern Stock Index Fund) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NOSIX returned 12.76%/yr vs 11.77%/yr for VSTSX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. NOSIX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.

Performance

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Stock Index Fund (NOSIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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 NOSIX having a 10.12% return and VSTSX slightly higher at 10.51%.

NOSIX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 0.15%
• 6M: 7.97%
• YTD: 10.12%
• 1Y: 19.54%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 15.06%
• ALL TIME*: 9.92%

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -0.21%
• 6M: 8.18%
• YTD: 10.51%
• 1Y: 21.83%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 11.77%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.62%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NOSIX Northern Stock Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NOSIX Northern Stock Index Fund	10.12%	17.83%	24.87%	26.24%	-18.25%	28.55%	18.33%	31.35%	-4.54%	21.71%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	10.51%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%

Correlation

The correlation between NOSIX and VSTSX is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.97

The correlation between NOSIX and VSTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NOSIX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NOSIX

NOSIX Risk / Return Rank: 57
NOSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
NOSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
NOSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
NOSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
NOSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Stock Index Fund (NOSIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.

	NOSIX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.52	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.11	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.27	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	2.23	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.31	9.65	-0.35

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NOSIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the VSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NOSIX and VSTSX, 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

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NOSIX drawdown since its inception was -55.42%, which is greater than VSTSX's maximum drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NOSIX and VSTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NOSIX	VSTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.42%	-34.97%	-20.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-8.92%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-19.36%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.54%	-25.35%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.39%	-1.32%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.28%	-4.84%	-5.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	2.06%	0.00%

Volatility

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison

Northern Stock Index Fund (NOSIX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) have volatilities of 3.50% and 3.45%, 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

	NOSIX	VSTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	3.45%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	10.28%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.92%	13.14%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	17.46%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.21%	18.69%	-0.48%

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NOSIX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NOSIX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison

NOSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, more than VSTSX's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOSIX Northern Stock Index Fund	2.71%	2.94%	2.59%	5.02%	4.72%	3.22%	4.00%	2.41%	4.82%	3.13%	2.76%	3.36%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.08%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NOSIX and VSTSX in my portfolio?

NOSIX and VSTSX have a correlation of 0.88, 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 VSTSX?

NOSIX has higher volatility (3.50%) compared to VSTSX (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NOSIX dropped -55.42% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.49), 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.