NWHFX vs. HWSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NWHFX (Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund) and HWSAX (Hotchkis & Wiley Small Cap Value Fund Class A) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NWHFX returned 10.65%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for HWSAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NWHFX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for HWSAX.

Performance

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) and Hotchkis & Wiley Small Cap Value Fund Class A (HWSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NWHFX having a 18.47% return and HWSAX slightly lower at 17.59%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NWHFX having a 10.65% annualized return and HWSAX not far ahead at 10.74%.

NWHFX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 18.47%
• 6M: 18.23%
• 1Y: 37.16%
• 3Y*: 19.45%
• 5Y*: 8.53%
• 10Y*: 10.65%

HWSAX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 17.59%
• 6M: 15.77%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 12.84%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

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

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	18.47%	9.95%	10.23%	15.78%	-12.91%	36.15%	8.82%	21.18%	-16.17%	4.04%
HWSAX Hotchkis & Wiley Small Cap Value Fund Class A	17.59%	1.38%	4.77%	18.56%	2.81%	35.32%	-0.50%	20.26%	-15.23%	7.39%

Correlation

The correlation between NWHFX and HWSAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2013	0.91

The correlation between NWHFX and HWSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NWHFX vs. HWSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NWHFX

NWHFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
NWHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NWHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
NWHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
NWHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
NWHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

HWSAX

HWSAX Risk / Return Rank: 46
HWSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
HWSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
HWSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
HWSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
HWSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. HWSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) and Hotchkis & Wiley Small Cap Value Fund Class A (HWSAX). 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.

	NWHFX	HWSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.82	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	2.58	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.33	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	3.12	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.12	10.23	+5.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWHFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the HWSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWHFX and HWSAX, 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

	NWHFX	HWSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.82	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.44	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.44	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.48	-0.03

Drawdowns

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWHFX drawdown since its inception was -47.51%, smaller than the maximum HWSAX drawdown of -72.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWHFX and HWSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWHFX	HWSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.51%	-72.14%	+24.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.50%	-10.06%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.68%	-26.98%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.68%	-26.98%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.51%	-53.82%	+6.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.35%	-10.96%	+3.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	3.06%	-0.64%

Volatility

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Volatility Comparison

Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) has a higher volatility of 4.49% compared to Hotchkis & Wiley Small Cap Value Fund Class A (HWSAX) at 3.76%. This indicates that NWHFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HWSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NWHFX	HWSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	3.76%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.38%	11.25%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.64%	17.23%	-0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.56%	21.54%	-0.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.79%	24.62%	-1.83%

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NWHFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than HWSAX's 1.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

NWHFX vs. HWSAX - Dividend Comparison

NWHFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.78%, more than HWSAX's 0.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HWSAX Hotchkis & Wiley Small Cap Value Fund Class A	0.59%	0.69%	8.19%	1.79%	13.39%	0.22%	0.63%	4.62%	9.45%	4.80%	0.00%	11.67%
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	9.78%	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 HWSAX in my portfolio?

NWHFX and HWSAX have a correlation of 0.82, 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 HWSAX?

NWHFX has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to HWSAX (3.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWHFX dropped -47.51% vs HWSAX's -72.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWHFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.82), 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.