PRAFX vs. NSRIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PRAFX (T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund) and NSRIX (Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRAFX returned 8.96%/yr vs 12.88%/yr for NSRIX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRAFX charges 0.92%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for NSRIX.

Performance

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund (PRAFX) and Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund (NSRIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRAFX achieves a 14.08% return, which is significantly higher than NSRIX's 8.86% return. Over the past 10 years, PRAFX has underperformed NSRIX with an annualized return of 8.96%, while NSRIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.88% annualized return.

PRAFX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 14.08%
• 6M: 15.92%
• 1Y: 36.84%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 8.96%

NSRIX

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 8.86%
• 6M: 9.74%
• 1Y: 25.29%
• 3Y*: 19.88%
• 5Y*: 11.46%
• 10Y*: 12.88%

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

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRAFX T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund	14.08%	29.51%	0.32%	6.65%	-10.24%	25.74%	7.02%	19.62%	-11.55%	10.48%
NSRIX Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund	8.86%	21.03%	17.02%	25.44%	-19.45%	24.60%	15.49%	28.29%	-7.65%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PRAFX and NSRIX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2010	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between PRAFX and NSRIX has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PRAFX vs. NSRIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRAFX

PRAFX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PRAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PRAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
PRAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PRAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
PRAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NSRIX

NSRIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
NSRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
NSRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NSRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NSRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NSRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund (PRAFX) and Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund (NSRIX). 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.

	PRAFX	NSRIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.04	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.93	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	2.53	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.64	11.18	-0.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRAFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the NSRIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRAFX and NSRIX, 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

	PRAFX	NSRIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.04	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.70	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.76	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.46	-0.10

Drawdowns

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRAFX drawdown since its inception was -38.05%, smaller than the maximum NSRIX drawdown of -55.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRAFX and NSRIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRAFX	NSRIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.05%	-55.30%	+17.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.91%	-10.36%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.86%	-17.58%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.73%	-27.86%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.05%	-33.66%	-4.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.63%	-1.12%	-3.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-8.45%	-0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	2.32%	+1.17%

Volatility

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund (PRAFX) has a higher volatility of 4.89% compared to Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund (NSRIX) at 3.73%. This indicates that PRAFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NSRIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRAFX	NSRIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	3.73%	+1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	9.97%	+3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	12.85%	+3.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.70%	16.46%	+1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.14%	17.13%	+1.01%

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRAFX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is higher than NSRIX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRAFX vs. NSRIX - Dividend Comparison

PRAFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than NSRIX's 5.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSRIX Northern Global Sustainability Index Fund	5.20%	5.66%	5.55%	1.57%	1.90%	5.26%	1.62%	2.70%	3.46%	3.14%	3.46%	3.79%
PRAFX T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund	2.58%	2.94%	1.56%	1.52%	1.38%	1.83%	1.37%	2.64%	2.58%	1.45%	1.96%	1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRAFX and NSRIX in my portfolio?

PRAFX and NSRIX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRAFX or NSRIX?

PRAFX has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to NSRIX (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRAFX dropped -38.05% vs NSRIX's -55.30%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 2.04), 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.