- Issuer
- Franklin Templeton
- Inception Date
- Nov 28, 1988
- Category
- Municipal Bonds
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Asset Class Size
- Multi-Cap
- Asset Class Style
- Blend
Share Price Chart
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Performance
MHF Performance Chart
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc (MHF) is up 2.7% since the beginning of the year. MHF is currently trading at $7 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of MHF shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,073.
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Returns By Period
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc (MHF) has returned 2.65% so far this year and 5.32% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, MHF has returned 2.60% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.66% annually.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc
- 1D
- -0.86%
- 1M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- 2.65%
- 6M
- 1.83%
- 1Y
- 5.32%
- 3Y*
- 8.31%
- 5Y*
- 1.42%
- 10Y*
- 2.60%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.74%
- 1M
- 4.90%
- YTD
- 10.35%
- 6M
- 10.28%
- 1Y
- 26.52%
- 3Y*
- 20.83%
- 5Y*
- 12.30%
- 10Y*
- 13.66%
MHF Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Jun 30, 1989, MHF's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.44%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 13.2 years.
Historically, 59% of months were positive and 41% were negative. The best month was Jan 1995 with a return of +10.0%, while the worst month was Sep 2008 at -12.9%. The longest winning streak lasted 12 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 6 months.
On a daily basis, MHF closed higher 42% of trading days. The best single day was Feb 24, 2009 with a return of +12.8%, while the worst single day was Oct 6, 2008 at -13.5%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.50% | 1.66% | 0.22% | -0.81% | 1.81% | -0.72% | 2.65% | ||||||
| 2025 | 4.77% | 8.09% | -2.45% | -2.36% | -2.73% | 0.21% | -1.95% | 3.03% | 4.51% | -2.02% | -1.22% | -0.23% | 7.18% |
| 2024 | 2.84% | 0.79% | 3.24% | 0.50% | -2.46% | 3.40% | 4.19% | 1.62% | 2.17% | -2.72% | 3.64% | -5.34% | 11.99% |
| 2023 | 5.96% | -4.02% | 3.73% | -2.86% | -1.71% | 3.80% | -0.16% | -3.38% | -2.70% | -0.97% | 5.51% | 1.93% | 4.53% |
| 2022 | -7.35% | -2.03% | -2.62% | -4.41% | 3.44% | -4.77% | 4.11% | -1.76% | -6.90% | 1.29% | 8.80% | -5.75% | -17.68% |
| 2021 | 4.69% | -2.67% | 2.91% | 0.02% | 4.65% | 4.34% | -2.93% | -0.10% | -2.44% | 6.57% | -0.81% | -3.59% | 10.42% |
Benchmark Metrics
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc has an annualized alpha of 4.91%, beta of 0.13, and R2 of 0.02 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since July 03, 1989.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (22.56%) than losses (12.01%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.13 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.02 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.02 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 4.91%
- Beta
- 0.13
- R²
- 0.02
- Upside Capture
- 22.56%
- Downside Capture
- 12.01%
Expense Ratio
MHF has an expense ratio of 0.04%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
MHF ranks 5 for risk / return — in the bottom 5% of mutual funds on our site. This means you're taking on significantly more risk than the returns justify. Consider whether the potential upside is worth the volatility, or explore alternatives with better risk / return profiles.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc (MHF) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
| MHF | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.38 | 2.24 | -1.86 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.67 | 3.07 | -2.40 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.09 | 1.41 | -0.32 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.54 | 2.93 | -2.39 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.90 | 13.52 | -12.63 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Dividends
Dividend History
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc provided a 5.92% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.41 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 3 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.41 | $0.41 | $0.38 | $0.24 | $0.24 | $0.26 | $0.28 | $0.30 | $0.31 | $0.31 | $0.32 | $0.35 |
Dividend yield | 5.92% | 5.93% | 5.65% | 3.78% | 3.72% | 3.23% | 3.75% | 4.02% | 4.42% | 4.14% | 4.53% | 4.45% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.00 | $0.17 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.41 |
| 2024 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.38 |
| 2023 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.24 |
| 2022 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.24 |
| 2021 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.26 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc was 29.95%, occurring on Oct 6, 2008. Recovery took 350 trading sessions.
The current Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc drawdown is 5.64%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -29.95%Oct 2008 | 2mo 28d | 1y 4mo | 1y 7moJul 2008 - Feb 2010 |
1999 bear market1999 | -27.37%Dec 1999 | 1y 29d | 1y 1mo | 2y 2moNov 1998 - Feb 2001 |
Bear market2022 | -26.72%Oct 2022 | 1y 1d | 2y 3mo | 3y 3moOct 2021 - Feb 2025 |
COVID crash2020 | -24.97%Mar 2020 | 22d | 10mo 13d | 11mo 5dFeb 2020 - Jan 2021 |
2013 bear market2013 | -24.71%Aug 2013 | 10mo 26d | 2y 3mo | 3y 2moSep 2012 - Dec 2015 |
Drawdown Indicators
| MHF | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.95% | -56.78% | +26.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.96% | -9.10% | -0.86% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.32% | -18.90% | +5.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.72% | -25.43% | -1.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.72% | -33.92% | +7.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.64% | -0.74% | -4.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.34% | -10.72% | +4.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.95% | 1.97% | +3.98% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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