EFA vs. NVHIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) and NVHIX (Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund) are both funds - EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while NVHIX is a High Yield Muni fund managed by Nuveen. Over the past 10 years, EFA returned 9.11%/yr vs 3.23%/yr for NVHIX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EFA charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for NVHIX.

Performance

EFA vs. NVHIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NVHIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFA achieves a 8.42% return, which is significantly higher than NVHIX's 1.93% return. Over the past 10 years, EFA has outperformed NVHIX with an annualized return of 9.11%, while NVHIX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.23% annualized return.

EFA

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 8.42%
• 6M: 10.94%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

NVHIX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 1.93%
• 6M: 2.36%
• 1Y: 4.91%
• 3Y*: 4.36%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: 3.23%

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

EFA vs. NVHIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	8.42%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	11.45%	7.60%	22.04%	-13.82%	25.07%
NVHIX Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	1.93%	2.43%	6.88%	3.54%	-6.73%	8.44%	-0.10%	8.27%	3.47%	8.17%

Correlation

The correlation between EFA and NVHIX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2013	0.04

Over the past year, EFA and NVHIX have become more correlated (0.25) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

EFA vs. NVHIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 39
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

NVHIX

NVHIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
NVHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
NVHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NVHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
NVHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
NVHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

EFA vs. NVHIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NVHIX). 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.

	EFA	NVHIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.21	-0.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.79	-1.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.65	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.75	-0.90
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.94	6.95	-0.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFA vs. NVHIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the NVHIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFA and NVHIX, 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

	EFA	NVHIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	2.21	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.63	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.93	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	1.12	-0.81

Drawdowns

EFA vs. NVHIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFA drawdown since its inception was -61.04%, which is greater than NVHIX's maximum drawdown of -13.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFA and NVHIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFA	NVHIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.04%	-13.54%	-47.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-1.80%	-9.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.05%	-4.72%	-9.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.53%	-10.54%	-18.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.19%	-13.54%	-20.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	0.00%	-1.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.93%	-2.04%	-9.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	0.71%	+2.33%

Volatility

EFA vs. NVHIX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a higher volatility of 4.98% compared to Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NVHIX) at 0.68%. This indicates that EFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NVHIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFA	NVHIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	0.68%	+4.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.51%	1.55%	+10.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.05%	2.25%	+12.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.48%	3.33%	+13.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	3.47%	+13.79%

EFA vs. NVHIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFA has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than NVHIX's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFA vs. NVHIX - Dividend Comparison

EFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than NVHIX's 4.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.12%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
NVHIX Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	4.55%	5.15%	4.36%	4.41%	3.84%	3.43%	3.90%	4.03%	3.90%	3.78%	3.62%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFA and NVHIX in my portfolio?

EFA and NVHIX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFA or NVHIX?

EFA has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to NVHIX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFA dropped -61.04% vs NVHIX's -13.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.41), 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.