NSRIX vs. VEU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NSRIX (Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund) and VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) are both funds - NSRIX is a Global Equities fund managed by Northern Funds, while VEU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, NSRIX returned 13.01%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for VEU. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSRIX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VEU.

Performance

NSRIX vs. VEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund (NSRIX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSRIX achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly lower than VEU's 15.73% return. Over the past 10 years, NSRIX has outperformed VEU with an annualized return of 13.01%, while VEU has yielded a comparatively lower 10.05% annualized return.

NSRIX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 4.58%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 11.72%
• 1Y: 27.19%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: 13.01%

VEU

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 5.19%
• YTD: 15.73%
• 6M: 18.94%
• 1Y: 33.06%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

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

NSRIX vs. VEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSRIX Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund	10.10%	21.03%	17.02%	25.44%	-19.45%	24.60%	15.49%	28.29%	-7.65%	21.21%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	15.73%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	11.10%	21.83%	-14.18%	27.40%

Correlation

The correlation between NSRIX and VEU is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2008	0.91

The correlation between NSRIX and VEU shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NSRIX vs. VEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSRIX

NSRIX Risk / Return Rank: 57
NSRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
NSRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
NSRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
NSRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
NSRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VEU

VEU Risk / Return Rank: 64
VEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VEU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VEU Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

NSRIX vs. VEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund (NSRIX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). 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.

	NSRIX	VEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.18	+0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	3.00	+0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.40	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	3.01	-0.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.68	11.72	+0.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSRIX vs. VEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSRIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the VEU Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSRIX and VEU, 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

	NSRIX	VEU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	2.18	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.57	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.59	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.26	+0.20

Drawdowns

NSRIX vs. VEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSRIX drawdown since its inception was -55.30%, smaller than the maximum VEU drawdown of -61.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSRIX and VEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSRIX	VEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.30%	-61.52%	+6.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-11.43%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.58%	-13.69%	-3.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.86%	-29.31%	+1.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.66%	-34.98%	+1.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.45%	-13.14%	+4.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	2.93%	-0.61%

Volatility

NSRIX vs. VEU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund (NSRIX) is 3.67%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that NSRIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSRIX	VEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	5.57%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.97%	13.01%	-3.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.83%	15.28%	-2.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.46%	16.07%	+0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.13%	17.21%	-0.08%

NSRIX vs. VEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSRIX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VEU's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSRIX vs. VEU - Dividend Comparison

NSRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.14%, more than VEU's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSRIX Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund	5.14%	5.66%	5.55%	1.57%	1.90%	5.26%	1.62%	2.70%	3.46%	3.14%	3.46%	3.79%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.58%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSRIX and VEU in my portfolio?

NSRIX and VEU have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSRIX or VEU?

VEU has higher volatility (5.57%) compared to NSRIX (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSRIX dropped -55.30% vs VEU's -61.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.18), 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.