NSVAX vs. USBNX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NSVAX (Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II) and USBNX (Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NSVAX returned 10.36%/yr vs 7.77%/yr for USBNX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSVAX charges 1.02%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for USBNX.

Performance

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II (NSVAX) and Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund (USBNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSVAX achieves a 16.33% return, which is significantly higher than USBNX's 11.24% return. Over the past 10 years, NSVAX has outperformed USBNX with an annualized return of 10.36%, while USBNX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.77% annualized return.

NSVAX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 16.33%
• 6M: 16.52%
• 1Y: 35.98%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.42%
• 10Y*: 10.36%

USBNX

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 11.24%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 21.56%
• 3Y*: 13.88%
• 5Y*: 5.30%
• 10Y*: 7.77%

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

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSVAX Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II	16.33%	8.20%	11.25%	14.10%	-13.70%	34.27%	10.11%	20.65%	-17.48%	10.46%
USBNX Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund	11.24%	8.02%	8.64%	12.83%	-5.09%	15.35%	-4.77%	23.53%	-11.05%	6.42%

Correlation

The correlation between NSVAX and USBNX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2002	0.94

The correlation between NSVAX and USBNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSVAX vs. USBNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSVAX

NSVAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
NSVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
NSVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
NSVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NSVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
NSVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

USBNX

USBNX Risk / Return Rank: 29
USBNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
USBNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
USBNX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
USBNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
USBNX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II (NSVAX) and Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund (USBNX). 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.

	NSVAX	USBNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.43	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.18	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.26	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	2.30	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.96	7.03	+5.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSVAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the USBNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSVAX and USBNX, 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

	NSVAX	USBNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	1.43	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.28	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.36	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.39	+0.05

Drawdowns

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSVAX drawdown since its inception was -59.32%, smaller than the maximum USBNX drawdown of -64.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSVAX and USBNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSVAX	USBNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.32%	-64.40%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.51%	-9.19%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.11%	-21.56%	-5.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.11%	-26.01%	-1.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.33%	-46.96%	-1.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-0.66%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.74%	-13.63%	+3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	2.98%	-0.26%

Volatility

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II (NSVAX) has a higher volatility of 4.59% compared to Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund (USBNX) at 3.72%. This indicates that NSVAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USBNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSVAX	USBNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	3.72%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	9.32%	+2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.10%	14.85%	+2.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.43%	18.78%	+3.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.89%	21.66%	+2.23%

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSVAX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is lower than USBNX's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSVAX vs. USBNX - Dividend Comparison

NSVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.66%, more than USBNX's 12.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSVAX Columbia Small Cap Value Fund II	13.66%	15.89%	29.38%	6.93%	6.46%	13.95%	0.83%	3.68%	14.97%	9.10%	5.23%	12.66%
USBNX Pear Tree Polaris Small Cap Fund	12.41%	13.81%	3.27%	0.86%	10.05%	0.75%	0.68%	7.91%	8.39%	6.21%	1.17%	7.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSVAX and USBNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, NSVAX and USBNX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NSVAX or USBNX?

NSVAX has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to USBNX (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSVAX dropped -59.32% vs USBNX's -64.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSVAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.43), 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.