VV vs. NOLCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VV (Vanguard Large-Cap ETF) and NOLCX (Northern Large Cap Core Fund) are both funds - VV is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Index, while NOLCX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, VV returned 15.58%/yr vs 15.13%/yr for NOLCX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for NOLCX.

Performance

VV vs. NOLCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) and Northern Large Cap Core Fund (NOLCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VV having a 10.69% return and NOLCX slightly higher at 10.82%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VV having a 15.58% annualized return and NOLCX not far behind at 15.13%.

VV

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 5.19%
• YTD: 10.69%
• 6M: 10.54%
• 1Y: 27.77%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 13.54%
• 10Y*: 15.58%

NOLCX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 11.16%
• 1Y: 30.63%
• 3Y*: 24.20%
• 5Y*: 15.25%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

VV vs. NOLCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VV Vanguard Large-Cap ETF	10.69%	18.11%	25.25%	27.18%	-19.91%	27.41%	21.04%	31.25%	-4.46%	22.00%
NOLCX Northern Large Cap Core Fund	10.82%	21.83%	26.04%	24.32%	-15.59%	32.90%	11.96%	25.64%	-6.28%	20.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VV and NOLCX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2005	0.97

The correlation between VV and NOLCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (1 year) to 0.97 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VV vs. NOLCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VV

VV Risk / Return Rank: 67
VV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VV Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

NOLCX

NOLCX Risk / Return Rank: 83
NOLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
NOLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NOLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NOLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
NOLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

VV vs. NOLCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) and Northern Large Cap Core Fund (NOLCX). 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.

	VV	NOLCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.73	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	3.78	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.50	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.92	-0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.86	18.11	-4.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VV vs. NOLCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VV Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the NOLCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VV and NOLCX, 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

	VV	NOLCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	2.73	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.81	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.79	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.54	+0.06

Drawdowns

VV vs. NOLCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VV drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, roughly equal to the maximum NOLCX drawdown of -56.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VV and NOLCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VV	NOLCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.81%	-56.64%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-8.20%	-1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-19.03%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.66%	-30.63%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.28%	-34.46%	+0.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	0.00%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.84%	-8.85%	+2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.76%	+0.25%

Volatility

VV vs. NOLCX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) has a higher volatility of 2.84% compared to Northern Large Cap Core Fund (NOLCX) at 2.50%. This indicates that VV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NOLCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VV	NOLCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	2.50%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.98%	8.63%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.99%	11.75%	+0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	19.09%	-1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.19%	19.26%	-1.07%

VV vs. NOLCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VV has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than NOLCX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VV vs. NOLCX - Dividend Comparison

VV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than NOLCX's 7.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOLCX Northern Large Cap Core Fund	7.74%	8.57%	9.09%	8.96%	5.02%	14.82%	1.35%	3.93%	2.49%	2.63%	1.78%	1.87%
VV Vanguard Large-Cap ETF	0.98%	1.08%	1.24%	1.41%	1.66%	1.19%	1.46%	1.81%	2.09%	1.75%	1.98%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VV and NOLCX in my portfolio?

VV and NOLCX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VV or NOLCX?

VV has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to NOLCX (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VV dropped -54.81% vs NOLCX's -56.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NOLCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.33), 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.