NWAUX vs. VSTSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NWAUX (Nationwide GQG US Quality Equity Fund) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NWAUX returned 10.59%/yr vs 13.07%/yr for VSTSX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NWAUX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.

Performance

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide GQG US Quality Equity Fund (NWAUX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NWAUX achieves a 7.43% return, which is significantly lower than VSTSX's 11.99% return.

NWAUX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 8.06%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: 13.35%
• 5Y*: 10.59%
• 10Y*: —

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 29.14%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NWAUX Nationwide GQG US Quality Equity Fund	7.43%	-4.92%	27.90%	18.30%	-3.23%	22.65%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.99%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	20.64%

Correlation

The correlation between NWAUX and VSTSX is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2021	0.67

The correlation between NWAUX and VSTSX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NWAUX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NWAUX

NWAUX Risk / Return Rank: 6
NWAUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
NWAUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
NWAUX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
NWAUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
NWAUX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide GQG US Quality Equity Fund (NWAUX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.

	NWAUX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	2.47	-1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.82	3.37	-2.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.44	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.78	3.38	-2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.73	15.60	-13.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWAUX Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the VSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWAUX and VSTSX, 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

	NWAUX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	2.47	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.76	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.80	-0.03

Drawdowns

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWAUX drawdown since its inception was -21.07%, smaller than the maximum VSTSX drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWAUX and VSTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWAUX	VSTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.07%	-34.97%	+13.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.70%	-8.92%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.31%	-19.36%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.07%	-25.35%	+4.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.95%	0.00%	-8.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.93%	-4.89%	-2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	1.93%	+1.09%

Volatility

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison

Nationwide GQG US Quality Equity Fund (NWAUX) has a higher volatility of 3.47% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) at 2.95%. This indicates that NWAUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NWAUX	VSTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	2.95%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.67%	9.19%	-1.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.04%	12.19%	-2.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.09%	17.36%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	18.76%	-2.83%

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NWAUX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

NWAUX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison

NWAUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, more than VSTSX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NWAUX Nationwide GQG US Quality Equity Fund	4.79%	4.35%	13.58%	0.40%	1.93%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.02%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NWAUX and VSTSX in my portfolio?

NWAUX and VSTSX have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NWAUX or VSTSX?

NWAUX has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to VSTSX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWAUX dropped -21.07% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 0.52), 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.