JGH vs. HIO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JGH (Nuveen Global High Income Fund) and HIO (Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, JGH returned 8.41%/yr vs 5.78%/yr for HIO. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JGH charges 1.68%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for HIO.

Performance

JGH vs. HIO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Global High Income Fund (JGH) and Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (HIO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JGH achieves a 5.15% return, which is significantly higher than HIO's 1.82% return. Over the past 10 years, JGH has outperformed HIO with an annualized return of 8.41%, while HIO has yielded a comparatively lower 5.78% annualized return.

JGH

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 6M: 7.13%
• 1Y: 10.84%
• 3Y*: 15.83%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

HIO

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -0.67%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 3.53%
• 3Y*: 9.87%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: 5.78%

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

JGH vs. HIO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JGH Nuveen Global High Income Fund	5.15%	8.62%	15.98%	20.89%	-21.01%	10.84%	2.77%	30.04%	-12.02%	15.25%
HIO Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc	1.82%	5.33%	13.58%	8.07%	-17.09%	12.80%	6.07%	24.23%	-7.60%	8.97%

Correlation

The correlation between JGH and HIO is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2014	0.42

The correlation between JGH and HIO shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JGH vs. HIO — Risk / Return Rank

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

JGH

JGH Risk / Return Rank: 15
JGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
JGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
JGH Omega Ratio Rank: 18
JGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
JGH Martin Ratio Rank: 11

HIO

HIO Risk / Return Rank: 5
HIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
HIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
HIO Omega Ratio Rank: 5
HIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
HIO Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

JGH vs. HIO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Global High Income Fund (JGH) and Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (HIO). 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.

	JGH	HIO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	0.35	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	0.53	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.07	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	0.53	+0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.16	1.16	+2.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JGH vs. HIO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JGH Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is higher than the HIO Sharpe Ratio of 0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JGH and HIO, 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

	JGH	HIO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	0.35	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.20	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.36	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.34	+0.07

Drawdowns

JGH vs. HIO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JGH drawdown since its inception was -43.79%, smaller than the maximum HIO drawdown of -49.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JGH and HIO.

Drawdown Indicators

	JGH	HIO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.79%	-49.69%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.37%	-6.70%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.70%	-13.29%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.66%	-26.18%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.79%	-40.57%	-3.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-2.97%	+2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.00%	-6.46%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.44%	3.06%	+0.38%

Volatility

JGH vs. HIO - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Global High Income Fund (JGH) and Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (HIO) have volatilities of 3.70% and 3.65%, 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

	JGH	HIO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.70%	3.65%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.25%	7.83%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.22%	10.25%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.79%	12.84%	+0.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.88%	15.97%	-0.09%

JGH vs. HIO - Expense Ratio Comparison

JGH has a 1.68% expense ratio, which is higher than HIO's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

JGH vs. HIO - Dividend Comparison

JGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.74%, less than HIO's 11.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HIO Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc	11.83%	11.48%	10.84%	9.90%	9.11%	7.02%	7.86%	6.91%	7.31%	7.04%	8.44%	9.08%
JGH Nuveen Global High Income Fund	9.74%	9.82%	9.67%	10.18%	12.05%	8.19%	7.13%	7.53%	9.88%	8.52%	9.61%	11.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JGH and HIO in my portfolio?

JGH and HIO have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JGH or HIO?

JGH has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to HIO (3.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JGH dropped -43.79% vs HIO's -49.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JGH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.35), 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.