JLS vs. NPSRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JLS (Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund) and NPSRX (Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund) are both mutual funds - JLS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund managed by Nuveen, while NPSRX is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund managed by Nuveen. Over the past 10 years, JLS returned 5.72%/yr vs 5.21%/yr for NPSRX. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JLS charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for NPSRX.

Performance

JLS vs. NPSRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund (JLS) and Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund (NPSRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JLS achieves a 2.31% return, which is significantly higher than NPSRX's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, JLS has outperformed NPSRX with an annualized return of 5.72%, while NPSRX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.21% annualized return.

JLS

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: 2.31%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 8.45%
• 3Y*: 14.97%
• 5Y*: 5.35%
• 10Y*: 5.72%

NPSRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.40%
• 1Y: 8.78%
• 3Y*: 10.01%
• 5Y*: 3.62%
• 10Y*: 5.21%

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

JLS vs. NPSRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JLS Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund	2.31%	11.60%	17.86%	14.88%	-17.88%	11.02%	-5.38%	4.26%	-1.02%	17.03%
NPSRX Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund	0.72%	11.19%	9.12%	6.19%	-9.50%	5.43%	5.53%	17.68%	-5.65%	11.27%

Correlation

The correlation between JLS and NPSRX is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2009	0.20

Return for Risk

JLS vs. NPSRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JLS

JLS Risk / Return Rank: 17
JLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
JLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
JLS Omega Ratio Rank: 15
JLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
JLS Martin Ratio Rank: 24

NPSRX

NPSRX Risk / Return Rank: 76
NPSRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
NPSRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
NPSRX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
NPSRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
NPSRX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

JLS vs. NPSRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund (JLS) and Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund (NPSRX). 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.

	JLS	NPSRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	2.96	-1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	5.02	-3.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.72	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.59	2.70	-1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.99	10.81	-4.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JLS vs. NPSRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the NPSRX Sharpe Ratio of 2.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JLS and NPSRX, 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

	JLS	NPSRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	2.96	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.73	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.83	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.49	+0.03

Drawdowns

JLS vs. NPSRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JLS drawdown since its inception was -35.18%, smaller than the maximum NPSRX drawdown of -62.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JLS and NPSRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JLS	NPSRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.18%	-62.52%	+27.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.32%	-3.30%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.28%	-3.60%	-5.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.53%	-17.65%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.18%	-26.47%	-8.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.51%	-0.67%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-4.82%	-1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.41%	0.82%	+0.59%

Volatility

JLS vs. NPSRX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund (JLS) has a higher volatility of 3.47% compared to Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund (NPSRX) at 1.03%. This indicates that JLS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NPSRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JLS	NPSRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	1.03%	+2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.22%	2.41%	+4.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.48%	3.02%	+5.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.58%	4.99%	+5.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.41%	6.33%	+6.08%

JLS vs. NPSRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JLS has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than NPSRX's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

JLS vs. NPSRX - Dividend Comparison

JLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.32%, more than NPSRX's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JLS Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund	10.32%	10.13%	9.91%	9.29%	6.56%	4.61%	4.94%	6.20%	9.31%	13.44%	7.11%	6.68%
NPSRX Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund	5.39%	5.72%	5.38%	5.87%	6.18%	4.97%	5.02%	5.39%	6.00%	5.51%	5.81%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JLS and NPSRX in my portfolio?

JLS and NPSRX have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JLS or NPSRX?

JLS has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to NPSRX (1.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JLS dropped -35.18% vs NPSRX's -62.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPSRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 1.00), 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.