NSDVX vs. PSLAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NSDVX (North Star Dividend Fund) and PSLAX (Putnam Small Cap Value Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NSDVX returned 7.17%/yr vs 10.01%/yr for PSLAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSDVX charges 1.37%/yr vs 1.15%/yr for PSLAX.

Performance

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX) and Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NSDVX having a 15.13% return and PSLAX slightly lower at 14.44%. Over the past 10 years, NSDVX has underperformed PSLAX with an annualized return of 7.17%, while PSLAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.01% annualized return.

NSDVX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 15.13%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 20.82%
• 3Y*: 11.37%
• 5Y*: 3.62%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

PSLAX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 14.44%
• 6M: 14.26%
• 1Y: 26.11%
• 3Y*: 16.42%
• 5Y*: 6.87%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

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

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSDVX North Star Dividend Fund	15.13%	-1.31%	9.25%	8.06%	-6.36%	16.16%	6.51%	16.13%	-12.35%	8.27%
PSLAX Putnam Small Cap Value Fund	14.44%	5.26%	6.19%	23.54%	-13.42%	39.51%	3.60%	24.33%	-20.19%	7.55%

Correlation

The correlation between NSDVX and PSLAX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2013	0.84

The correlation between NSDVX and PSLAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSDVX vs. PSLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSDVX

NSDVX Risk / Return Rank: 28
NSDVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
NSDVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
NSDVX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
NSDVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NSDVX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

PSLAX

PSLAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
PSLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PSLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PSLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PSLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PSLAX 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.

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX) and Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX). 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.

	NSDVX	PSLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.55	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.29	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.27	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.71	-0.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.22	7.63	-1.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSDVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the PSLAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSDVX and PSLAX, 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

	NSDVX	PSLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	1.55	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.32	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.43	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.40	+0.07

Drawdowns

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSDVX drawdown since its inception was -38.64%, smaller than the maximum PSLAX drawdown of -69.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSDVX and PSLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSDVX	PSLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.64%	-69.37%	+30.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-10.52%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.41%	-25.63%	+9.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.58%	-25.63%	+3.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.64%	-52.81%	+14.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	0.00%	-1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-12.15%	+5.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.73%	-0.16%

Volatility

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX) is 3.51%, while Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that NSDVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSDVX	PSLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	5.02%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.39%	12.00%	-2.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	18.34%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.07%	21.75%	-5.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.69%	23.61%	-5.92%

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSDVX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than PSLAX's 1.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSDVX vs. PSLAX - Dividend Comparison

NSDVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, less than PSLAX's 5.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSDVX North Star Dividend Fund	2.90%	3.45%	7.00%	2.52%	6.57%	3.31%	1.52%	2.64%	6.87%	2.48%	4.67%	3.51%
PSLAX Putnam Small Cap Value Fund	5.95%	6.81%	5.67%	1.21%	8.40%	0.20%	0.90%	1.33%	21.52%	38.15%	0.66%	5.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSDVX and PSLAX in my portfolio?

NSDVX and PSLAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSDVX or PSLAX?

PSLAX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to NSDVX (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSDVX dropped -38.64% vs PSLAX's -69.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.51), 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.