NHMAX vs. FRHIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NHMAX (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A) and FRHIX (Franklin High Yield Tax Free Income Fund) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, NHMAX returned 3.34%/yr vs 2.67%/yr for FRHIX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NHMAX charges 2.00%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FRHIX.

Performance

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX) and Franklin High Yield Tax Free Income Fund (FRHIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NHMAX achieves a 3.38% return, which is significantly higher than FRHIX's 3.04% return. Over the past 10 years, NHMAX has outperformed FRHIX with an annualized return of 3.34%, while FRHIX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.67% annualized return.

NHMAX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 3.38%
• 6M: 4.00%
• 1Y: 9.06%
• 3Y*: 4.70%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 3.34%

FRHIX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 2.09%
• YTD: 3.04%
• 6M: 3.70%
• 1Y: 8.90%
• 3Y*: 6.25%
• 5Y*: 1.45%
• 10Y*: 2.67%

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

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NHMAX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A	3.38%	2.51%	5.36%	6.96%	-15.14%	9.71%	3.03%	11.96%	1.79%	11.90%
FRHIX Franklin High Yield Tax Free Income Fund	3.04%	5.33%	7.28%	6.01%	-13.96%	4.89%	5.87%	8.35%	1.96%	3.40%

Correlation

The correlation between NHMAX and FRHIX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 1999	0.73

The correlation between NHMAX and FRHIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NHMAX vs. FRHIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NHMAX

NHMAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
NHMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
NHMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
NHMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
NHMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
NHMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

FRHIX

FRHIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
FRHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FRHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FRHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FRHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
FRHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX) and Franklin High Yield Tax Free Income Fund (FRHIX). 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.

	NHMAX	FRHIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.60	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	4.22	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.63	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	2.79	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.58	10.16	-2.57

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NHMAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the FRHIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NHMAX and FRHIX, 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

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHMAX drawdown since its inception was -45.60%, which is greater than FRHIX's maximum drawdown of -21.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHMAX and FRHIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHMAX	FRHIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.60%	-21.54%	-24.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.58%	-3.21%	-0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.29%	-7.36%	-2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.65%	-19.01%	-2.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.22%	-19.01%	-3.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.48%	-2.26%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	0.88%	+0.32%

Volatility

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX) has a higher volatility of 1.10% compared to Franklin High Yield Tax Free Income Fund (FRHIX) at 0.91%. This indicates that NHMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRHIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NHMAX	FRHIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.10%	0.91%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.05%	2.52%	+0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.40%	3.44%	+0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.83%	5.15%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.69%	4.66%	+2.03%

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NHMAX has a 2.00% expense ratio, which is higher than FRHIX's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

NHMAX vs. FRHIX - Dividend Comparison

NHMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.40%, more than FRHIX's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRHIX Franklin High Yield Tax Free Income Fund	4.57%	5.79%	5.32%	4.16%	4.27%	3.61%	3.83%	4.99%	4.46%	4.06%	4.42%	4.27%
NHMAX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A	5.40%	5.84%	5.54%	7.10%	5.41%	4.49%	4.83%	4.77%	5.26%	5.20%	5.61%	5.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHMAX and FRHIX in my portfolio?

NHMAX and FRHIX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NHMAX or FRHIX?

NHMAX has higher volatility (1.10%) compared to FRHIX (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NHMAX dropped -45.60% vs FRHIX's -21.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 2.08), 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.