NBB vs. LMLCX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NBB (Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund) and LMLCX (Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, NBB returned 2.74%/yr vs 4.66%/yr for LMLCX. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NBB charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for LMLCX.

Performance

NBB vs. LMLCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund (NBB) and Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund (LMLCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NBB achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly lower than LMLCX's 2.13% return. Over the past 10 years, NBB has underperformed LMLCX with an annualized return of 2.74%, while LMLCX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.66% annualized return.

NBB

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: -0.61%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 7.94%
• 3Y*: 7.60%
• 5Y*: -0.92%
• 10Y*: 2.74%

LMLCX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 6M: 2.36%
• 1Y: 10.00%
• 3Y*: 6.32%
• 5Y*: 4.48%
• 10Y*: 4.66%

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

NBB vs. LMLCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NBB Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund	1.42%	13.52%	1.32%	7.62%	-24.60%	0.91%	14.45%	19.48%	-6.37%	12.96%
LMLCX Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund	2.13%	12.22%	-2.21%	12.93%	-3.51%	3.08%	2.93%	15.10%	-4.24%	7.20%

Correlation

The correlation between NBB and LMLCX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2012	0.27

Over the past year, NBB and LMLCX have become more correlated (0.53) than their long-term average of 0.27, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

NBB vs. LMLCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBB

NBB Risk / Return Rank: 11
NBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
NBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
NBB Omega Ratio Rank: 10
NBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
NBB Martin Ratio Rank: 14

LMLCX

LMLCX Risk / Return Rank: 37
LMLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
LMLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
LMLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
LMLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
LMLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

NBB vs. LMLCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund (NBB) and Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund (LMLCX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NBB	LMLCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.53	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	2.31	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.28	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	2.44	-1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.56	8.37	-4.82

NBB vs. LMLCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBB Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the LMLCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBB and LMLCX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NBB vs. LMLCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBB drawdown since its inception was -33.51%, which is greater than LMLCX's maximum drawdown of -23.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBB and LMLCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBB	LMLCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.51%	-23.45%	-10.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.81%	-4.22%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.39%	-11.77%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.51%	-11.77%	-21.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.51%	-23.45%	-10.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	0.00%	-7.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.66%	-1.94%	-5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.23%	+1.01%

Volatility

NBB vs. LMLCX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund (NBB) has a higher volatility of 2.58% compared to Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund (LMLCX) at 1.88%. This indicates that NBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LMLCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBB	LMLCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	1.88%	+0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.39%	4.63%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.94%	6.72%	+3.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	7.82%	+5.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.28%	7.20%	+7.08%

NBB vs. LMLCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBB has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than LMLCX's 0.00% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NBB vs. LMLCX - Dividend Comparison

NBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.50%, more than LMLCX's 6.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LMLCX Western Asset SMASh Series C Fund	6.18%	6.11%	6.58%	5.78%	4.46%	5.42%	3.54%	4.16%	5.59%	4.04%	3.75%	5.64%
NBB Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund	7.50%	7.33%	6.96%	8.33%	7.86%	5.50%	4.67%	5.54%	6.38%	5.62%	6.35%	6.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBB and LMLCX in my portfolio?

NBB and LMLCX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBB or LMLCX?

NBB has higher volatility (2.58%) compared to LMLCX (1.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBB dropped -33.51% vs LMLCX's -23.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LMLCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.80), 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.