FEHAX vs. NHMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEHAX (First Eagle High Yield Municipal Fund Class A) and NHMAX (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A) are both High Yield Muni funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEHAX returned 4.19%/yr vs 3.47%/yr for NHMAX. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FEHAX charges 1.13%/yr vs 2.00%/yr for NHMAX.

Performance

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Eagle High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FEHAX) and Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEHAX achieves a 2.67% return, which is significantly lower than NHMAX's 3.09% return. Over the past 10 years, FEHAX has outperformed NHMAX with an annualized return of 4.19%, while NHMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.47% annualized return.

FEHAX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 6M: 2.67%
• 1Y: 4.05%
• 3Y*: 5.80%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 4.19%

NHMAX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.75%
• 1Y: 9.81%
• 3Y*: 4.99%
• 5Y*: 0.97%
• 10Y*: 3.47%

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

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEHAX First Eagle High Yield Municipal Fund Class A	2.67%	-1.04%	11.22%	8.39%	-8.79%	3.35%	6.91%	8.29%	-0.68%	4.39%
NHMAX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A	3.09%	2.98%	5.36%	6.96%	-15.14%	9.71%	3.03%	11.96%	1.79%	11.90%

Correlation

The correlation between FEHAX and NHMAX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2012	0.34

Over the past year, FEHAX and NHMAX have become more correlated (0.80) than their long-term average of 0.34, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

FEHAX vs. NHMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEHAX

FEHAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
FEHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
FEHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
FEHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
FEHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FEHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

NHMAX

NHMAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
NHMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
NHMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
NHMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NHMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
NHMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Eagle High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FEHAX) and Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX). 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.

	FEHAX	NHMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.20	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	3.49	-2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.50	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.78	2.74	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.36	8.14	-5.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEHAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the NHMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEHAX and NHMAX, 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

	FEHAX	NHMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	2.20	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.14	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.52	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.85	-0.02

Drawdowns

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEHAX drawdown since its inception was -18.54%, smaller than the maximum NHMAX drawdown of -45.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEHAX and NHMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEHAX	NHMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.54%	-45.60%	+27.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.21%	-3.58%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.15%	-10.58%	+1.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.83%	-21.65%	+8.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.18%	-22.22%	+6.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	0.00%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.53%	-5.49%	+2.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	1.20%	+0.52%

Volatility

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Volatility Comparison

First Eagle High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FEHAX) and Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX) have volatilities of 1.49% and 1.54%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEHAX	NHMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.49%	1.54%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.08%	3.13%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.85%	4.48%	+0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.42%	6.83%	-1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.94%	6.70%	-1.76%

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEHAX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is lower than NHMAX's 2.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEHAX vs. NHMAX - Dividend Comparison

FEHAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.92%, which matches NHMAX's 5.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEHAX First Eagle High Yield Municipal Fund Class A	5.92%	5.67%	4.84%	4.20%	4.76%	3.62%	4.06%	4.10%	5.27%	4.99%	5.80%	7.20%
NHMAX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A	5.87%	6.30%	5.54%	7.10%	5.41%	4.49%	4.83%	4.77%	5.26%	5.20%	5.61%	5.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEHAX and NHMAX in my portfolio?

FEHAX and NHMAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEHAX or NHMAX?

NHMAX has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to FEHAX (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEHAX dropped -18.54% vs NHMAX's -45.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NHMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 0.84), 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.