NWHFX vs. GMXAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NWHFX (Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund) and GMXAX (Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund) are both mutual funds - NWHFX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Nationwide, while GMXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Nationwide. Over the past 10 years, NWHFX returned 10.98%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for GMXAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NWHFX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GMXAX.

Performance

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) and Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NWHFX achieves a 20.72% return, which is significantly higher than GMXAX's 15.54% return. Over the past 10 years, NWHFX has outperformed GMXAX with an annualized return of 10.98%, while GMXAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.89% annualized return.

NWHFX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 20.72%
• 6M: 18.76%
• 1Y: 37.87%
• 3Y*: 20.08%
• 5Y*: 9.48%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

GMXAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 15.54%
• 6M: 13.43%
• 1Y: 25.80%
• 3Y*: 15.57%
• 5Y*: 8.22%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

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

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	20.72%	9.95%	10.23%	15.78%	-12.91%	36.15%	8.82%	21.18%	-16.17%	4.04%
GMXAX Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund	15.54%	6.84%	12.15%	15.89%	-13.45%	24.33%	12.79%	25.35%	-10.65%	2.80%

Correlation

The correlation between NWHFX and GMXAX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
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 Sep 17, 2013	0.93

The correlation between NWHFX and GMXAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NWHFX vs. GMXAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NWHFX

NWHFX Risk / Return Rank: 80
NWHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
NWHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
NWHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
NWHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
NWHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

GMXAX

GMXAX Risk / Return Rank: 49
GMXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
GMXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
GMXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
GMXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GMXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) and Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX). 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.

	NWHFX	GMXAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.71	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.49	+0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.30	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.70	3.06	+1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.49	11.07	+5.42

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWHFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the GMXAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWHFX and GMXAX, 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

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWHFX drawdown since its inception was -47.51%, smaller than the maximum GMXAX drawdown of -55.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWHFX and GMXAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWHFX	GMXAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.51%	-55.64%	+8.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.50%	-8.83%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.68%	-24.21%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.68%	-24.21%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.51%	-42.22%	-5.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-0.06%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.32%	-8.04%	+0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	2.43%	-0.01%

Volatility

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Volatility Comparison

Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) and Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund (GMXAX) have volatilities of 4.72% and 4.61%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NWHFX	GMXAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	4.61%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.80%	11.67%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.92%	15.78%	+1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.52%	19.71%	+0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.81%	21.33%	+1.48%

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NWHFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than GMXAX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

NWHFX vs. GMXAX - Dividend Comparison

NWHFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.59%, less than GMXAX's 11.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GMXAX Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund	11.22%	12.93%	11.73%	6.17%	9.58%	12.52%	3.18%	5.18%	23.21%	0.85%	9.60%	13.94%
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	9.59%	11.48%	13.85%	1.38%	3.31%	4.98%	0.83%	0.65%	15.39%	11.63%	0.62%	1.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NWHFX and GMXAX in my portfolio?

NWHFX and GMXAX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NWHFX or GMXAX?

NWHFX has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to GMXAX (4.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWHFX dropped -47.51% vs GMXAX's -55.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWHFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.71), 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.