MFALX vs. NQP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFALX (MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund) and NQP (Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income) are both Municipal Bonds funds. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MFALX charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.27%/yr for NQP.

Performance

MFALX vs. NQP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) and Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income (NQP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MFALX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.17%
• 1Y: 7.99%
• 3Y*: 3.83%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 1.72%

NQP

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MFALX vs. NQP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	1.88%	4.49%	1.31%	5.87%	-11.27%	1.87%	4.05%	7.24%	1.04%	4.49%
NQP Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income	3.84%	15.46%	2.70%	7.44%	-21.95%	7.75%	7.08%	21.21%	-2.28%	5.96%

Correlation

The correlation between MFALX and NQP is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 1991	0.25

The correlation between MFALX and NQP shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (all time) to 0.55 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MFALX vs. NQP — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFALX

MFALX Risk / Return Rank: 62
MFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
MFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
MFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
MFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

MFALX vs. NQP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) and Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income (NQP). 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.

	MFALX	NQP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.45	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MFALX	NQP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	MFALX	NQP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.68%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.95%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MFALX	NQP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.42%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.61%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.35%	—	—

MFALX vs. NQP - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFALX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than NQP's 1.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFALX vs. NQP - Dividend Comparison

MFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, less than NQP's 7.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	3.21%	4.22%	2.79%	2.34%	1.62%	1.57%	2.21%	2.92%	3.32%	3.39%	3.59%	3.89%
NQP Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income	7.13%	7.87%	6.69%	3.07%	4.89%	4.51%	4.38%	4.23%	5.34%	5.34%	5.67%	6.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFALX and NQP in my portfolio?

MFALX and NQP have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.