NSGRX vs. SCHA
NSGRX (Northern Small Cap Core Fund) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NSGRX returned 11.58%/yr vs 11.72%/yr for SCHA. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NSGRX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.
Performance
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NSGRX achieves a 20.56% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 22.53% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NSGRX having a 11.58% annualized return and SCHA not far ahead at 11.72%.
NSGRX
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- 4.82%
- YTD
- 20.56%
- 6M
- 18.41%
- 1Y
- 38.28%
- 3Y*
- 18.50%
- 5Y*
- 8.06%
- 10Y*
- 11.58%
SCHA
- 1D
- -1.72%
- 1M
- 4.56%
- YTD
- 22.53%
- 6M
- 20.00%
- 1Y
- 41.81%
- 3Y*
- 19.85%
- 5Y*
- 7.30%
- 10Y*
- 11.72%
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSGRX Northern Small Cap Core Fund | 20.56% | 10.57% | 10.44% | 16.96% | -16.14% | 19.99% | 14.53% | 23.30% | -10.22% | 13.05% |
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 22.53% | 11.60% | 11.16% | 18.46% | -19.81% | 16.45% | 19.34% | 26.50% | -11.79% | 14.94% |
Correlation
The correlation between NSGRX and SCHA is 0.88, 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 | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009 | 0.98 |
The correlation between NSGRX and SCHA shifts across timeframes, from 0.88 (1 year) to 0.98 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
NSGRX vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank
NSGRX
SCHA
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Small Cap Core Fund (NSGRX) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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.
| NSGRX | SCHA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.37 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.67 | 4.42 | +0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.35 | 16.18 | +0.17 |
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Drawdowns
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NSGRX drawdown since its inception was -64.89%, which is greater than SCHA's maximum drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSGRX and SCHA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NSGRX | SCHA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.89% | -42.41% | -22.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.66% | -9.50% | +0.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.45% | -27.29% | +0.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.31% | -30.79% | -1.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.37% | -42.41% | +2.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -1.72% | +1.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.13% | -7.56% | -14.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.46% | 2.59% | -0.13% |
Volatility
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Northern Small Cap Core Fund (NSGRX) is 5.51%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 6.71%. This indicates that NSGRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NSGRX | SCHA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.51% | 6.71% | -1.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.07% | 13.92% | -0.85% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.56% | 18.77% | -0.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.41% | 22.05% | +1.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.42% | 22.75% | +0.67% |
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison
NSGRX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
NSGRX vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison
NSGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.15%, more than SCHA's 0.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSGRX Northern Small Cap Core Fund | 13.15% | 15.85% | 17.77% | 6.90% | 0.55% | 15.75% | 5.00% | 6.30% | 1.26% | 4.35% | 0.67% | 3.35% |
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | 0.98% | 1.26% | 1.51% | 1.42% | 1.37% | 1.19% | 1.05% | 1.39% | 1.58% | 1.24% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NSGRX and SCHA 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.
SCHA has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to NSGRX (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSGRX dropped -64.89% vs SCHA's -42.41%.
SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 2.19), 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.
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