SAMIX vs. NWQIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SAMIX (Saratoga Moderately Aggressive Balanced Allocation Portfolio) and NWQIX (Nuveen Flexible Income Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 5 years, SAMIX returned 7.06%/yr vs 4.48%/yr for NWQIX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SAMIX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NWQIX.

Performance

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Saratoga Moderately Aggressive Balanced Allocation Portfolio (SAMIX) and Nuveen Flexible Income Fund (NWQIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMIX achieves a 5.48% return, which is significantly higher than NWQIX's 5.04% return.

SAMIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 2.25%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 5.84%
• 1Y: 15.73%
• 3Y*: 13.15%
• 5Y*: 7.06%
• 10Y*: —

NWQIX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 6.53%
• 1Y: 15.31%
• 3Y*: 10.78%
• 5Y*: 4.48%
• 10Y*: 5.67%

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

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SAMIX Saratoga Moderately Aggressive Balanced Allocation Portfolio	5.48%	12.60%	11.53%	13.68%	-10.56%	14.08%	9.36%	17.88%	-7.54%
NWQIX Nuveen Flexible Income Fund	5.04%	12.22%	6.03%	11.61%	-13.64%	4.94%	5.54%	18.57%	-4.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMIX and NWQIX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2018	0.64

The correlation between SAMIX and NWQIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAMIX vs. NWQIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAMIX

SAMIX Risk / Return Rank: 36
SAMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
SAMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
SAMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
SAMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
SAMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

NWQIX

NWQIX Risk / Return Rank: 97
NWQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NWQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
NWQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
NWQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NWQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Saratoga Moderately Aggressive Balanced Allocation Portfolio (SAMIX) and Nuveen Flexible Income Fund (NWQIX). 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.

	SAMIX	NWQIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	3.98	-2.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	6.38	-3.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.90	-0.60
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	5.45	-3.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.61	26.06	-16.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the NWQIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMIX and NWQIX, 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

	SAMIX	NWQIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	3.98	-2.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.79	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.77	-0.17

Drawdowns

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMIX drawdown since its inception was -26.06%, which is greater than NWQIX's maximum drawdown of -23.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMIX and NWQIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAMIX	NWQIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.06%	-23.89%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-2.94%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.90%	-4.59%	-8.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.54%	-17.75%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-23.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.80%	-3.01%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.67%	0.61%	+1.06%

Volatility

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Volatility Comparison

Saratoga Moderately Aggressive Balanced Allocation Portfolio (SAMIX) has a higher volatility of 2.73% compared to Nuveen Flexible Income Fund (NWQIX) at 1.22%. This indicates that SAMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NWQIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAMIX	NWQIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	1.22%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.47%	3.06%	+4.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.46%	3.86%	+5.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.10%	5.68%	+5.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.66%	6.33%	+6.33%

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMIX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than NWQIX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMIX vs. NWQIX - Dividend Comparison

SAMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.72%, more than NWQIX's 5.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NWQIX Nuveen Flexible Income Fund	5.94%	6.52%	5.20%	7.84%	7.02%	4.39%	4.82%	5.71%	6.23%	5.67%	5.52%	5.70%
SAMIX Saratoga Moderately Aggressive Balanced Allocation Portfolio	9.72%	10.26%	3.60%	2.78%	5.82%	8.13%	1.66%	2.44%	3.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAMIX and NWQIX in my portfolio?

SAMIX and NWQIX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAMIX or NWQIX?

SAMIX has higher volatility (2.73%) compared to NWQIX (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMIX dropped -26.06% vs NWQIX's -23.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWQIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.98 vs 1.69), 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.