NTHEX vs. VWEAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NTHEX (Northeast Investors Trust) and VWEAX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, NTHEX returned 4.10%/yr vs 5.28%/yr for VWEAX. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NTHEX charges 1.83%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VWEAX.

Performance

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northeast Investors Trust (NTHEX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NTHEX achieves a 1.44% return, which is significantly higher than VWEAX's 1.01% return. Over the past 10 years, NTHEX has underperformed VWEAX with an annualized return of 4.10%, while VWEAX has yielded a comparatively higher 5.28% annualized return.

NTHEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 2.24%
• 1Y: 11.56%
• 3Y*: 8.39%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 4.10%

VWEAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 6.34%
• 3Y*: 8.49%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: 5.28%

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

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NTHEX Northeast Investors Trust	1.44%	10.27%	6.94%	10.83%	-4.89%	5.17%	-3.61%	0.92%	-4.85%	6.28%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	9.49%	6.42%	11.79%	-8.95%	3.04%	5.41%	15.92%	-2.80%	7.17%

Correlation

The correlation between NTHEX and VWEAX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.39

The correlation between NTHEX and VWEAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.39 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NTHEX vs. VWEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NTHEX

NTHEX Risk / Return Rank: 80
NTHEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
NTHEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NTHEX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
NTHEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
NTHEX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VWEAX

VWEAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VWEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VWEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VWEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VWEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VWEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northeast Investors Trust (NTHEX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX). 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.

	NTHEX	VWEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.00	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.05	3.46	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.49	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.13	2.60	+3.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.80	13.17	+3.63

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NTHEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the VWEAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NTHEX and VWEAX, 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

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NTHEX drawdown since its inception was -50.61%, which is greater than VWEAX's maximum drawdown of -30.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NTHEX and VWEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NTHEX	VWEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.61%	-30.05%	-20.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.80%	-2.52%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.28%	-3.32%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.13%	-13.77%	+5.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.77%	-19.68%	-1.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-0.18%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-2.12%	-4.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	0.50%	+0.16%

Volatility

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Volatility Comparison

Northeast Investors Trust (NTHEX) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) at 0.87%. This indicates that NTHEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NTHEX	VWEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	0.87%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.39%	2.62%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.54%	3.29%	+4.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.66%	4.92%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.55%	5.27%	+0.28%

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NTHEX has a 1.83% expense ratio, which is higher than VWEAX's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

NTHEX vs. VWEAX - Dividend Comparison

NTHEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, less than VWEAX's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NTHEX Northeast Investors Trust	4.46%	4.57%	5.63%	5.00%	2.92%	5.68%	5.91%	5.62%	5.37%	6.34%	6.43%	8.83%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	6.37%	6.25%	6.20%	5.79%	5.21%	3.49%	4.71%	5.33%	6.07%	5.39%	5.51%	6.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NTHEX and VWEAX in my portfolio?

NTHEX and VWEAX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NTHEX or VWEAX?

NTHEX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to VWEAX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NTHEX dropped -50.61% vs VWEAX's -30.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.47), 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.