NWHFX vs. VESMX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NWHFX (Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund) and VESMX (VELA Small Cap Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, NWHFX returned 10.36%/yr vs 8.30%/yr for VESMX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NWHFX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for VESMX.

Performance

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NWHFX achieves a 22.58% return, which is significantly higher than VESMX's 9.62% return.

NWHFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.64%
• 6M: 13.92%
• YTD: 22.58%
• 1Y: 39.98%
• 3Y*: 16.92%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 10.57%
• ALL TIME*: 9.73%

VESMX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.72%
• 6M: 4.76%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 1Y: 22.44%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 8.30%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.73%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VESMX VELA Small Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	22.58%	9.95%	10.23%	15.78%	-12.91%	36.15%	28.26%
VESMX VELA Small Cap Fund	9.62%	8.12%	10.77%	11.22%	-5.53%	31.60%	21.26%

Correlation

The correlation between NWHFX and VESMX is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2020	0.92

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

Return for Risk

NWHFX vs. VESMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NWHFX

NWHFX Risk / Return Rank: 91
NWHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
NWHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NWHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
NWHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
NWHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VESMX

VESMX Risk / Return Rank: 51
VESMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VESMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VESMX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VESMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VESMX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) and VELA Small Cap Fund (VESMX). 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	VESMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.47	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.23	+1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.26	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	2.18	+2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.23	6.73	+9.50

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWHFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the VESMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWHFX and VESMX, 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. VESMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWHFX drawdown since its inception was -47.51%, which is greater than VESMX's maximum drawdown of -20.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWHFX and VESMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWHFX	VESMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.51%	-20.35%	-27.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.50%	-9.48%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.68%	-20.35%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.68%	-20.35%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.85%	-1.28%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-4.48%	-2.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	3.07%	-0.73%

Volatility

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund (NWHFX) is 3.37%, while VELA Small Cap Fund (VESMX) has a volatility of 4.07%. This indicates that NWHFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VESMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NWHFX	VESMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.37%	4.07%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.40%	10.20%	+1.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	14.27%	+2.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.30%	17.24%	+3.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.77%	18.10%	+4.67%

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NWHFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VESMX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

NWHFX vs. VESMX - Dividend Comparison

NWHFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.45%, more than VESMX's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NWHFX Nationwide Bailard Cognitive Value Fund	9.45%	11.48%	13.85%	1.38%	3.31%	4.98%	0.83%	0.65%	15.39%	11.63%	0.62%	1.21%
VESMX VELA Small Cap Fund	0.92%	1.01%	0.22%	0.66%	0.69%	0.98%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NWHFX and VESMX in my portfolio?

NWHFX and VESMX 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 VESMX?

VESMX has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to NWHFX (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWHFX dropped -47.51% vs VESMX's -20.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWHFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 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.