NHMFX vs. VWAHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NHMFX (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class R6) and VWAHX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 5 years, NHMFX returned 0.93%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for VWAHX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NHMFX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VWAHX.

Performance

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class R6 (NHMFX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NHMFX achieves a 3.49% return, which is significantly higher than VWAHX's 2.49% return.

NHMFX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 3.49%
• 6M: 4.62%
• 1Y: 9.86%
• 3Y*: 4.69%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: —

VWAHX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.06%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 6M: 2.93%
• 1Y: 8.45%
• 3Y*: 5.43%
• 5Y*: 1.53%
• 10Y*: 2.99%

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

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NHMFX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class R6	3.49%	3.21%	5.23%	6.74%	-14.90%	9.94%	3.33%	12.18%	2.05%	12.17%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	2.49%	4.96%	3.98%	8.39%	-11.76%	3.36%	5.39%	9.48%	1.31%	7.86%

Correlation

The correlation between NHMFX and VWAHX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 5, 2016	0.87

The correlation between NHMFX and VWAHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NHMFX vs. VWAHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NHMFX

NHMFX Risk / Return Rank: 67
NHMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
NHMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
NHMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
NHMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NHMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VWAHX

VWAHX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VWAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VWAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VWAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VWAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VWAHX 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.

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class R6 (NHMFX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). 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.

	NHMFX	VWAHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.63	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	4.26	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.68	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	2.78	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.33	10.11	-1.78

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NHMFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the VWAHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NHMFX and VWAHX, 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

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHMFX drawdown since its inception was -22.25%, smaller than the maximum VWAHX drawdown of -40.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHMFX and VWAHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHMFX	VWAHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.25%	-40.26%	+18.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.58%	-3.05%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.66%	-7.12%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.55%	-17.32%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-17.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-6.92%	+2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	0.84%	+0.35%

Volatility

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class R6 (NHMFX) has a higher volatility of 1.11% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) at 0.88%. This indicates that NHMFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWAHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NHMFX	VWAHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.11%	0.88%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.11%	2.38%	+0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.44%	3.22%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.87%	4.80%	+2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.75%	4.63%	+2.12%

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NHMFX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than VWAHX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

NHMFX vs. VWAHX - Dividend Comparison

NHMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.12%, more than VWAHX's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NHMFX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class R6	6.12%	6.59%	5.35%	6.99%	5.68%	4.71%	5.05%	5.03%	5.46%	5.37%	2.52%	0.00%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	4.04%	4.95%	4.38%	3.53%	3.36%	2.98%	3.31%	3.94%	3.78%	3.68%	3.75%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHMFX and VWAHX in my portfolio?

NHMFX and VWAHX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NHMFX or VWAHX?

NHMFX has higher volatility (1.11%) compared to VWAHX (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NHMFX dropped -22.25% vs VWAHX's -40.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWAHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.24), 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.