NSEIX vs. TOWFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NSEIX (Nicholas Equity Income Fund) and TOWFX (Towpath Focus Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NSEIX returned 7.79%/yr vs 11.32%/yr for TOWFX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSEIX charges 0.70%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for TOWFX.

Performance

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nicholas Equity Income Fund (NSEIX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX). 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 NSEIX having a 6.11% return and TOWFX slightly higher at 6.31%.

NSEIX

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 6.11%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 12.73%
• 3Y*: 12.71%
• 5Y*: 7.79%
• 10Y*: 10.31%

TOWFX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -1.03%
• YTD: 6.31%
• 6M: 5.69%
• 1Y: 22.98%
• 3Y*: 18.30%
• 5Y*: 11.32%
• 10Y*: —

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

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NSEIX Nicholas Equity Income Fund	6.11%	13.80%	9.97%	7.87%	-6.90%	24.76%	5.60%	0.31%
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	6.31%	23.51%	13.22%	12.33%	-2.06%	26.52%	19.46%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between NSEIX and TOWFX is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2019	0.87

The correlation between NSEIX and TOWFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NSEIX vs. TOWFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSEIX

NSEIX Risk / Return Rank: 28
NSEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
NSEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
NSEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
NSEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
NSEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

TOWFX

TOWFX Risk / Return Rank: 85
TOWFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
TOWFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
TOWFX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
TOWFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
TOWFX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nicholas Equity Income Fund (NSEIX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX). 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.

	NSEIX	TOWFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	2.50	-1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	3.66	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.44	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	4.87	-2.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.83	18.22	-12.39

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSEIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is lower than the TOWFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSEIX and TOWFX, 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

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSEIX drawdown since its inception was -48.12%, smaller than the maximum TOWFX drawdown of -96.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSEIX and TOWFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSEIX	TOWFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.12%	-96.18%	+48.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.30%	-4.72%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-96.18%	+81.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.98%	-96.18%	+77.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-94.74%	+93.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.80%	-23.58%	+17.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.36%	1.26%	+1.10%

Volatility

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Volatility Comparison

Nicholas Equity Income Fund (NSEIX) and Towpath Focus Fund (TOWFX) have volatilities of 2.84% and 2.87%, 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

	NSEIX	TOWFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	2.87%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.40%	6.92%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	9.19%	+0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.66%	1,041.97%	-1,028.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.94%	916.34%	-900.40%

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSEIX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than TOWFX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSEIX vs. TOWFX - Dividend Comparison

NSEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.67%, more than TOWFX's 1.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSEIX Nicholas Equity Income Fund	3.67%	10.85%	4.03%	4.28%	3.92%	11.53%	1.97%	13.05%	17.55%	6.83%	3.85%	7.26%
TOWFX Towpath Focus Fund	1.72%	1.82%	1.49%	2.81%	2.05%	5.69%	5.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSEIX and TOWFX in my portfolio?

NSEIX and TOWFX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSEIX or TOWFX?

TOWFX has higher volatility (2.87%) compared to NSEIX (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSEIX dropped -48.12% vs TOWFX's -96.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TOWFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.38), 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.