MMCA vs. THYM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MMCA (IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF) and THYM (T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MMCA is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by IndexIQ, while THYM is a High Yield Muni fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. Both are actively managed. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MMCA charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for THYM.

Performance

MMCA vs. THYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF (MMCA) and T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF (THYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MMCA achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly lower than THYM's 3.70% return.

MMCA

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 6.28%
• 3Y*: 4.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

THYM

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 3.70%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MMCA vs. THYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MMCA IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF	0.80%	0.46%
THYM T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF	3.70%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MMCA and THYM is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2025	0.58

Return for Risk

MMCA vs. THYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

MMCA

MMCA Risk / Return Rank: 66
MMCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
MMCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
MMCA Omega Ratio Rank: 86
MMCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
MMCA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

MMCA vs. THYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF (MMCA) and T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF (THYM). 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.

	MMCA	THYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.64	—	—
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

	MMCA	THYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	1.77	-1.73

Drawdowns

MMCA vs. THYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MMCA drawdown since its inception was -15.97%, which is greater than THYM's maximum drawdown of -2.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MMCA and THYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	MMCA	THYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.97%	-2.93%	-13.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.39%	0.00%	-1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.04%	-0.49%	-6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MMCA	THYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.89%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60%	4.35%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.60%	4.35%	-0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.60%	4.35%	-0.75%

MMCA vs. THYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

MMCA has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than THYM's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

MMCA vs. THYM - Dividend Comparison

MMCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.29%, more than THYM's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MMCA IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF	3.29%	3.39%	3.66%	3.57%	2.90%	0.05%
THYM T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF	2.18%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MMCA and THYM in my portfolio?

MMCA and THYM have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MMCA or THYM?

On fees, THYM is cheaper at 0.32% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MMCA or THYM?

THYM is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for MMCA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MMCA or THYM?

MMCA has the higher dividend yield at 3.29%, compared with 2.18% for THYM.

What is the main difference between MMCA and THYM?

MMCA is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while THYM is High Yield Muni. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for MMCA and 0.32% for THYM.