PARMX vs. WAMFX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

PARMX (Parnassus Mid Cap Fund) and WAMFX (Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PARMX returned 8.65%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for WAMFX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PARMX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for WAMFX.

Performance

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parnassus Mid Cap Fund (PARMX) and Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund (WAMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PARMX achieves a 7.85% return, which is significantly lower than WAMFX's 9.57% return. Over the past 10 years, PARMX has underperformed WAMFX with an annualized return of 8.65%, while WAMFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.72% annualized return.

PARMX

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: -2.48%
• 6M: 4.08%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 1Y: 11.61%
• 3Y*: 12.88%
• 5Y*: 4.33%
• 10Y*: 8.65%
• ALL TIME*: 8.88%

WAMFX

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 3.36%
• 6M: 7.23%
• YTD: 9.57%
• 1Y: 11.45%
• 3Y*: 10.14%
• 5Y*: 7.09%
• 10Y*: 10.72%
• ALL TIME*: 10.87%

*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)
PARMX Parnassus Mid Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
WAMFX Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PARMX Parnassus Mid Cap Fund	7.85%	12.86%	10.05%	12.66%	-21.41%	16.38%	14.88%	28.74%	-6.67%	15.80%
WAMFX Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund	9.57%	4.82%	10.39%	13.90%	-10.87%	24.85%	9.56%	36.98%	-3.59%	16.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PARMX and WAMFX is 0.81, 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.	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2011	0.92

The correlation between PARMX and WAMFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PARMX vs. WAMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PARMX

PARMX Risk / Return Rank: 24
PARMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PARMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PARMX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
PARMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PARMX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

WAMFX

WAMFX Risk / Return Rank: 28
WAMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
WAMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
WAMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
WAMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
WAMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parnassus Mid Cap Fund (PARMX) and Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund (WAMFX). 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.

	PARMX	WAMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	1.07	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.36	1.67	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.19	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.51	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.80	4.38	+0.42

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PARMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is comparable to the WAMFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PARMX and WAMFX, 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

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PARMX drawdown since its inception was -49.88%, which is greater than WAMFX's maximum drawdown of -36.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PARMX and WAMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PARMX	WAMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.88%	-36.81%	-13.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.49%	-8.38%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.73%	-17.51%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.27%	-20.82%	-8.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.39%	-36.81%	-0.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.66%	0.00%	-3.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-3.91%	-2.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	2.88%	-0.11%

Volatility

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Parnassus Mid Cap Fund (PARMX) is 3.29%, while Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund (WAMFX) has a volatility of 3.58%. This indicates that PARMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WAMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PARMX	WAMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	3.58%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	8.42%	+3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.44%	11.86%	+3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.70%	15.81%	+1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.72%	17.43%	+0.29%

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PARMX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is lower than WAMFX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

PARMX vs. WAMFX - Dividend Comparison

PARMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.50%, more than WAMFX's 6.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PARMX Parnassus Mid Cap Fund	9.50%	10.25%	9.92%	2.29%	4.90%	4.88%	0.36%	4.15%	3.90%	4.19%	2.76%	6.42%
WAMFX Boston Trust Walden Midcap Fund	6.60%	7.23%	3.49%	4.84%	5.55%	4.82%	3.87%	12.83%	7.08%	0.45%	5.06%	5.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PARMX and WAMFX in my portfolio?

PARMX and WAMFX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PARMX or WAMFX?

WAMFX has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to PARMX (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PARMX dropped -49.88% vs WAMFX's -36.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WAMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.87), 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.