HIMU vs. HIMFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HIMU (iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF) and HIMFX (American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Class F-3) are both High Yield Muni funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HIMU returned 7.07% vs 8.48% for HIMFX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HIMU charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for HIMFX.

Performance

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF (HIMU) and American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Class F-3 (HIMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIMU achieves a 2.68% return, which is significantly higher than HIMFX's 2.18% return.

HIMU

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 2.68%
• 6M: 2.74%
• 1Y: 7.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HIMFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.76%
• 1Y: 8.48%
• 3Y*: 5.97%
• 5Y*: 1.77%
• 10Y*: —

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

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HIMU iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF	2.68%	1.14%
HIMFX American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Class F-3	2.18%	3.58%

Correlation

The correlation between HIMU and HIMFX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	0.58

The correlation between HIMU and HIMFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HIMU vs. HIMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIMU

HIMU Risk / Return Rank: 44
HIMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
HIMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
HIMU Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HIMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
HIMU Martin Ratio Rank: 43

HIMFX

HIMFX Risk / Return Rank: 76
HIMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
HIMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
HIMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
HIMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
HIMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF (HIMU) and American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Class F-3 (HIMFX). 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.

	HIMU	HIMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	2.68	-1.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	4.38	-2.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.64	-0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	3.09	-0.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	11.11	-4.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIMU Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is lower than the HIMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIMU and HIMFX, 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

	HIMU	HIMFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	2.68	-1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.85	-0.45

Drawdowns

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIMU drawdown since its inception was -8.01%, smaller than the maximum HIMFX drawdown of -17.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIMU and HIMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIMU	HIMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.01%	-17.57%	+9.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.29%	-2.76%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.17%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.57%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.13%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.76%	-3.17%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	0.77%	+0.28%

Volatility

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Volatility Comparison

iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF (HIMU) has a higher volatility of 1.27% compared to American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Class F-3 (HIMFX) at 1.10%. This indicates that HIMU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HIMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIMU	HIMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	1.10%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.16%	2.25%	+0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.62%	3.08%	+1.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.44%	4.82%	+2.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.44%	4.60%	+2.84%

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIMU has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than HIMFX's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIMU vs. HIMFX - Dividend Comparison

HIMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%, more than HIMFX's 4.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HIMFX American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Class F-3	4.24%	4.32%	3.83%	3.71%	2.80%	3.54%	3.73%	3.49%	3.99%	3.61%
HIMU iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF	5.15%	4.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIMU and HIMFX in my portfolio?

HIMU and HIMFX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIMU or HIMFX?

HIMU has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to HIMFX (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIMU dropped -8.01% vs HIMFX's -17.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.54), 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.