NCA vs. MHF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NCA (Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund) and MHF (Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, NCA returned 2.07%/yr vs 2.60%/yr for MHF. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NCA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for MHF.

Performance

NCA vs. MHF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCA achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly higher than MHF's 2.65% return. Over the past 10 years, NCA has underperformed MHF with an annualized return of 2.07%, while MHF has yielded a comparatively higher 2.60% annualized return.

NCA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 6.05%
• 1Y: 14.10%
• 3Y*: 6.12%
• 5Y*: 1.24%
• 10Y*: 2.07%

MHF

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 5.32%
• 3Y*: 8.31%
• 5Y*: 1.42%
• 10Y*: 2.60%

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

NCA vs. MHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NCA Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund	4.88%	10.27%	-1.92%	10.39%	-13.57%	-3.51%	4.62%	21.08%	-7.38%	2.94%
MHF Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc	2.65%	7.18%	11.99%	4.53%	-17.68%	10.42%	3.00%	13.93%	-2.27%	7.54%

Correlation

The correlation between NCA and MHF is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 1989	0.15

The correlation between NCA and MHF shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.27 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NCA vs. MHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCA

NCA Risk / Return Rank: 20
NCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
NCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
NCA Omega Ratio Rank: 17
NCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
NCA Martin Ratio Rank: 24

MHF

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

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.

NCA vs. MHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund (NCA) and Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc (MHF). 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.

	NCA	MHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	0.38	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	0.67	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.09	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	0.54	+1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	0.90	+5.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NCA vs. MHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCA Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is higher than the MHF Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCA and MHF, 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

	NCA	MHF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	0.38	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.10	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17	0.19	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.31	-0.07

Drawdowns

NCA vs. MHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCA drawdown since its inception was -37.14%, which is greater than MHF's maximum drawdown of -29.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCA and MHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCA	MHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.14%	-29.95%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.55%	-9.96%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.63%	-13.32%	+2.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.97%	-26.72%	+3.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.97%	-26.72%	+3.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.64%	-5.64%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.09%	-6.34%	-1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	5.95%	-3.57%

Volatility

NCA vs. MHF - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund (NCA) has a higher volatility of 3.54% compared to Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc (MHF) at 2.78%. This indicates that NCA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCA	MHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	2.78%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	6.79%	+4.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.80%	13.96%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.30%	13.92%	-1.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.48%	13.47%	-0.99%

NCA vs. MHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than MHF's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NCA vs. MHF - Dividend Comparison

NCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, less than MHF's 5.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MHF Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc	5.92%	5.93%	5.65%	3.78%	3.72%	3.23%	3.75%	4.02%	4.42%	4.14%	4.53%	4.45%
NCA Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund	3.80%	3.89%	4.12%	3.88%	3.66%	3.02%	2.98%	3.21%	3.79%	5.33%	4.36%	4.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCA and MHF in my portfolio?

NCA and MHF have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCA or MHF?

NCA has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to MHF (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCA dropped -37.14% vs MHF's -29.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 vs 0.38), 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.