RFXIX vs. NWXEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFXIX (Rational Special Situations Income Fund) and NWXEX (Nationwide Strategic Income A) are both Multisector Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, RFXIX returned 4.26%/yr vs 6.29%/yr for NWXEX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RFXIX charges 1.76%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for NWXEX.

Performance

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rational Special Situations Income Fund (RFXIX) and Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFXIX achieves a 1.79% return, which is significantly lower than NWXEX's 2.17% return.

RFXIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 6M: 1.65%
• 1Y: 5.05%
• 3Y*: 5.71%
• 5Y*: 4.26%
• 10Y*: —

NWXEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 2.17%
• 6M: 2.67%
• 1Y: 6.77%
• 3Y*: 8.25%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 6.53%

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

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RFXIX Rational Special Situations Income Fund	1.79%	4.73%	8.95%	4.08%	-0.85%	5.30%	2.84%	1.91%
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	2.17%	6.97%	9.36%	9.00%	3.50%	4.64%	3.24%	3.12%

Correlation

The correlation between RFXIX and NWXEX is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2019	0.09

The correlation between RFXIX and NWXEX shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RFXIX vs. NWXEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFXIX

RFXIX Risk / Return Rank: 97
RFXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
RFXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
RFXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
RFXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
RFXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

NWXEX

NWXEX Risk / Return Rank: 99
NWXEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
NWXEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
NWXEX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rational Special Situations Income Fund (RFXIX) and Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX). 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.

	RFXIX	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	5.72	-2.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.38	10.13	-4.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.10	2.91	-0.81
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.03	16.02	-8.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.70	65.39	-36.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFXIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.61, which is lower than the NWXEX Sharpe Ratio of 5.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFXIX and NWXEX, 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

	RFXIX	NWXEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	5.72	-2.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.19	1.73	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.41	1.48	-0.07

Drawdowns

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFXIX drawdown since its inception was -12.91%, smaller than the maximum NWXEX drawdown of -22.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFXIX and NWXEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFXIX	NWXEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-22.97%	+10.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.72%	-0.43%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.05%	-1.89%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.93%	-5.60%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-1.10%	+0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	0.11%	+0.07%

Volatility

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Volatility Comparison

Rational Special Situations Income Fund (RFXIX) has a higher volatility of 0.32% compared to Nationwide Strategic Income A (NWXEX) at 0.29%. This indicates that RFXIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NWXEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFXIX	NWXEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.32%	0.29%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.77%	0.91%	-0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41%	1.21%	+0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.95%	3.66%	-1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.95%	4.42%	-1.47%

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFXIX has a 1.76% expense ratio, which is higher than NWXEX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFXIX vs. NWXEX - Dividend Comparison

RFXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.40%, more than NWXEX's 5.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NWXEX Nationwide Strategic Income A	5.24%	4.93%	4.73%	4.33%	16.14%	3.99%	4.70%	3.63%	4.30%	8.40%	7.21%	0.43%
RFXIX Rational Special Situations Income Fund	5.40%	5.02%	6.69%	7.85%	6.08%	5.04%	4.99%	1.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFXIX and NWXEX in my portfolio?

RFXIX and NWXEX have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFXIX or NWXEX?

RFXIX has higher volatility (0.32%) compared to NWXEX (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFXIX dropped -12.91% vs NWXEX's -22.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWXEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.72 vs 3.61), 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.