VFSAX vs. NOEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) and NOEMX (Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VFSAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while NOEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 5 years, VFSAX returned 6.13%/yr vs 7.67%/yr for NOEMX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFSAX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for NOEMX.

Performance

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (NOEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSAX achieves a 11.72% return, which is significantly lower than NOEMX's 29.36% return.

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 14.53%
• 1Y: 28.52%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 6.13%
• 10Y*: —

NOEMX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 9.57%
• YTD: 29.36%
• 6M: 32.12%
• 1Y: 58.02%
• 3Y*: 24.77%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 10.37%

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

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.72%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%
NOEMX Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	29.36%	33.67%	7.10%	9.20%	-20.53%	-3.36%	17.63%	9.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSAX and NOEMX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.77

The correlation between VFSAX and NOEMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFSAX vs. NOEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

NOEMX

NOEMX Risk / Return Rank: 92
NOEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
NOEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
NOEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
NOEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
NOEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (NOEMX). 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.

	VFSAX	NOEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	3.65	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	4.63	-1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.67	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	4.62	-2.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.44	17.77	-8.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is lower than the NOEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSAX and NOEMX, 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

	VFSAX	NOEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	3.65	-1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.47	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.27	+0.29

Drawdowns

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSAX drawdown since its inception was -39.86%, smaller than the maximum NOEMX drawdown of -66.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSAX and NOEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSAX	NOEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.86%	-66.67%	+26.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-13.06%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-16.34%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.81%	-37.16%	+3.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	0.00%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.26%	-19.02%	+9.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	3.36%	-0.38%

Volatility

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) is 4.31%, while Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (NOEMX) has a volatility of 6.57%. This indicates that VFSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NOEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSAX	NOEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.31%	6.57%	-2.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.18%	14.24%	-3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	16.55%	-3.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.04%	16.49%	-1.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.03%	17.58%	-0.55%

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSAX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than NOEMX's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFSAX vs. NOEMX - Dividend Comparison

VFSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.96%, more than NOEMX's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOEMX Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	1.95%	2.53%	2.98%	3.86%	2.42%	2.87%	2.36%	3.24%	2.76%	1.74%	1.92%	2.54%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.96%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSAX and NOEMX in my portfolio?

VFSAX and NOEMX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFSAX or NOEMX?

NOEMX has higher volatility (6.57%) compared to VFSAX (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSAX dropped -39.86% vs NOEMX's -66.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NOEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 2.11), 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.