NSDVX vs. VEVFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NSDVX (North Star Dividend Fund) and VEVFX (Vanguard Explorer Value Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NSDVX returned 7.17%/yr vs 9.92%/yr for VEVFX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSDVX charges 1.37%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for VEVFX.

Performance

NSDVX vs. VEVFX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSDVX achieves a 15.13% return, which is significantly higher than VEVFX's 13.54% return. Over the past 10 years, NSDVX has underperformed VEVFX with an annualized return of 7.17%, while VEVFX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.92% 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%

VEVFX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 13.54%
• 6M: 14.83%
• 1Y: 30.44%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 6.95%
• 10Y*: 9.92%

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

NSDVX vs. VEVFX - 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%
VEVFX Vanguard Explorer Value Fund	13.54%	7.40%	13.81%	15.29%	-14.11%	28.14%	3.29%	26.92%	-13.03%	12.43%

Correlation

The correlation between NSDVX and VEVFX 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	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2013	0.84

The correlation between NSDVX and VEVFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSDVX vs. VEVFX — 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

VEVFX

VEVFX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VEVFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VEVFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VEVFX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VEVFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VEVFX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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. VEVFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX) and Vanguard Explorer Value Fund (VEVFX). 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	VEVFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.86	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.74	-0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.32	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	3.17	-1.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.22	9.78	-3.56
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. VEVFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSDVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the VEVFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSDVX and VEVFX, 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	VEVFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	1.86	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.34	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.44	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.50	-0.03

Drawdowns

NSDVX vs. VEVFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSDVX drawdown since its inception was -38.64%, smaller than the maximum VEVFX drawdown of -47.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSDVX and VEVFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSDVX	VEVFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.64%	-47.53%	+8.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-10.31%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.41%	-27.32%	+10.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.58%	-27.32%	+4.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.64%	-47.53%	+8.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-0.34%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-6.62%	+0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.33%	+0.24%

Volatility

NSDVX vs. VEVFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for North Star Dividend Fund (NSDVX) is 3.51%, while Vanguard Explorer Value Fund (VEVFX) has a volatility of 4.67%. This indicates that NSDVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEVFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSDVX	VEVFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	4.67%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.39%	11.97%	-2.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	17.59%	-2.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.07%	20.71%	-4.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.69%	22.49%	-4.80%

NSDVX vs. VEVFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSDVX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than VEVFX's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSDVX vs. VEVFX - Dividend Comparison

NSDVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, less than VEVFX's 9.04% 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%
VEVFX Vanguard Explorer Value Fund	9.04%	10.26%	14.55%	2.49%	3.85%	3.83%	0.86%	1.47%	8.92%	3.00%	2.26%	6.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSDVX and VEVFX in my portfolio?

NSDVX and VEVFX 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, NSDVX or VEVFX?

VEVFX has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to NSDVX (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSDVX dropped -38.64% vs VEVFX's -47.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEVFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 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.