FCOTX vs. HICOX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FCOTX (Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund) and HICOX (Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FCOTX returned 1.94%/yr vs 4.14%/yr for HICOX. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCOTX charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for HICOX.

Performance

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund (FCOTX) and Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund (HICOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCOTX achieves a 1.41% return, which is significantly lower than HICOX's 2.02% return. Over the past 10 years, FCOTX has underperformed HICOX with an annualized return of 1.94%, while HICOX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.14% annualized return.

FCOTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.41%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 6.60%
• 3Y*: 3.34%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 1.94%

HICOX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 6M: 2.49%
• 1Y: 6.80%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 3.00%
• 10Y*: 4.14%

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

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCOTX Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund	1.41%	2.53%	2.07%	6.15%	-9.92%	1.52%	5.31%	7.70%	0.87%	5.79%
HICOX Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund	2.02%	4.36%	8.64%	5.10%	-6.14%	4.44%	4.69%	6.42%	4.64%	5.63%

Correlation

The correlation between FCOTX and HICOX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 1987	0.40

The correlation between FCOTX and HICOX shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (all time) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FCOTX vs. HICOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCOTX

FCOTX Risk / Return Rank: 61
FCOTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FCOTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FCOTX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FCOTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FCOTX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

HICOX

HICOX Risk / Return Rank: 96
HICOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
HICOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
HICOX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
HICOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
HICOX 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.

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund (FCOTX) and Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund (HICOX). 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.

	FCOTX	HICOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	3.23	-0.97
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	5.87	-2.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.98	-0.45
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	6.79	-4.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.96	26.08	-17.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCOTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the HICOX Sharpe Ratio of 3.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCOTX and HICOX, 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

	FCOTX	HICOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	3.23	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.86	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	1.35	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.14	1.62	-0.48

Drawdowns

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCOTX drawdown since its inception was -17.83%, which is greater than HICOX's maximum drawdown of -11.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCOTX and HICOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCOTX	HICOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.83%	-11.00%	-6.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.38%	-1.10%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.75%	-4.45%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.40%	-9.66%	-5.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.40%	-9.66%	-5.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.00%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-2.57%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	0.29%	+0.43%

Volatility

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund (FCOTX) has a higher volatility of 1.07% compared to Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund (HICOX) at 0.60%. This indicates that FCOTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HICOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCOTX	HICOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.07%	0.60%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.97%	1.61%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79%	2.21%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.15%	3.54%	+0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.29%	3.09%	+1.20%

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCOTX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than HICOX's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCOTX vs. HICOX - Dividend Comparison

FCOTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, less than HICOX's 4.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCOTX Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund	3.30%	3.55%	3.44%	3.10%	2.59%	1.77%	2.27%	2.92%	3.30%	3.15%	3.39%	3.63%
HICOX Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund	4.28%	3.98%	6.34%	2.53%	2.85%	3.60%	3.64%	4.11%	4.54%	4.56%	5.49%	4.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCOTX and HICOX in my portfolio?

FCOTX and HICOX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCOTX or HICOX?

FCOTX has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to HICOX (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCOTX dropped -17.83% vs HICOX's -11.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HICOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.23 vs 2.27), 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.