NCA vs. MMU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NCA (Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund) and MMU (Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, NCA returned 1.80%/yr vs 1.39%/yr for MMU. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NCA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for MMU.

Performance

NCA vs. MMU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCA achieves a 4.54% return, which is significantly higher than MMU's 2.57% return. Over the past 10 years, NCA has outperformed MMU with an annualized return of 1.80%, while MMU has yielded a comparatively lower 1.39% annualized return.

NCA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.75%
• YTD: 4.54%
• 6M: 6.32%
• 1Y: 12.81%
• 3Y*: 6.33%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 1.80%

MMU

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 3.78%
• YTD: 2.57%
• 6M: 3.01%
• 1Y: 12.54%
• 3Y*: 7.76%
• 5Y*: -0.25%
• 10Y*: 1.39%

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

NCA vs. MMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NCA Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund	4.54%	10.27%	-1.92%	10.39%	-13.57%	-3.51%	4.62%	21.08%	-7.38%	2.94%
MMU Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc	2.57%	9.19%	6.58%	5.63%	-19.58%	5.83%	0.71%	10.08%	-4.55%	8.30%

Correlation

The correlation between NCA and MMU 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	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 1992	0.18

The correlation between NCA and MMU shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (1 year) to 0.35 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NCA vs. MMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCA

NCA Risk / Return Rank: 18
NCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
NCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
NCA Omega Ratio Rank: 16
NCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NCA Martin Ratio Rank: 21

MMU

MMU Risk / Return Rank: 35
MMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
MMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
MMU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
MMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MMU Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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. MMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NCA	MMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	1.51	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	2.42	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.30	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	2.14	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.92	7.21	-2.29

NCA vs. MMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCA Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the MMU Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCA and MMU, 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

NCA vs. MMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCA drawdown since its inception was -37.14%, which is greater than MMU's maximum drawdown of -34.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCA and MMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCA	MMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.14%	-34.51%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.55%	-5.88%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.63%	-12.86%	+2.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.97%	-31.89%	+8.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.97%	-34.51%	+11.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.95%	-4.61%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.09%	-6.83%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	1.74%	+0.87%

Volatility

NCA vs. MMU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund (NCA) is 1.71%, while Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc (MMU) has a volatility of 2.41%. This indicates that NCA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCA	MMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.71%	2.41%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.96%	7.09%	+3.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.81%	8.35%	+4.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	10.69%	+1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.49%	13.01%	-0.52%

NCA vs. MMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is higher than MMU's 0.01% 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

NCA vs. MMU - Dividend Comparison

NCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than MMU's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MMU Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc	5.75%	6.26%	6.16%	4.36%	4.65%	3.88%	4.21%	4.96%	5.68%	5.37%	5.67%	5.50%
NCA Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund	3.83%	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 MMU in my portfolio?

NCA and MMU 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 MMU?

MMU has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to NCA (1.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCA dropped -37.14% vs MMU's -34.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.01), 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.