NHMRX vs. NZF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NHMRX (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund) and NZF (Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund) are both mutual funds - NHMRX is a High Yield Muni fund managed by Nuveen, while NZF is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, NHMRX returned 3.74%/yr vs 3.69%/yr for NZF. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NHMRX charges 0.52%/yr vs 1.89%/yr for NZF.

Performance

NHMRX vs. NZF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NHMRX) and Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NHMRX achieves a 3.11% return, which is significantly lower than NZF's 3.60% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NHMRX having a 3.74% annualized return and NZF not far behind at 3.69%.

NHMRX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.25%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 3.87%
• 1Y: 9.59%
• 3Y*: 5.24%
• 5Y*: 1.19%
• 10Y*: 3.74%

NZF

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 3.60%
• 6M: 2.62%
• 1Y: 14.98%
• 3Y*: 10.59%
• 5Y*: 0.09%
• 10Y*: 3.69%

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

NHMRX vs. NZF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NHMRX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	3.11%	3.24%	5.62%	7.31%	-14.96%	9.93%	3.25%	12.59%	2.06%	12.10%
NZF Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund	3.60%	11.78%	10.09%	2.49%	-25.53%	11.19%	3.58%	28.33%	-6.79%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between NHMRX and NZF is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2001	0.31

The correlation between NHMRX and NZF shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.48 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NHMRX vs. NZF — Risk / Return Rank

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

NHMRX

NHMRX Risk / Return Rank: 61
NHMRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
NHMRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
NHMRX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
NHMRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
NHMRX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

NZF

NZF Risk / Return Rank: 29
NZF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NZF Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
NZF Omega Ratio Rank: 28
NZF Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
NZF Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

NHMRX vs. NZF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NHMRX) and Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF). 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.

	NHMRX	NZF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.45	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	2.29	+1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.28	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	1.86	+0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.57	7.63	+0.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NHMRX vs. NZF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NHMRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the NZF Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NHMRX and NZF, 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

	NHMRX	NZF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	1.45	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.01	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.28	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.38	+0.51

Drawdowns

NHMRX vs. NZF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHMRX drawdown since its inception was -45.45%, smaller than the maximum NZF drawdown of -48.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHMRX and NZF.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHMRX	NZF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.45%	-48.55%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.58%	-8.11%	+4.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.49%	-15.59%	+5.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.52%	-37.42%	+15.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.22%	-37.42%	+15.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-3.57%	+3.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.32%	-7.77%	+2.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	1.97%	-0.79%

Volatility

NHMRX vs. NZF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NHMRX) is 1.58%, while Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that NHMRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NZF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NHMRX	NZF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.58%	3.48%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.13%	8.21%	-5.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.48%	10.39%	-5.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.85%	12.38%	-5.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.73%	13.10%	-6.37%

NHMRX vs. NZF - Expense Ratio Comparison

NHMRX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than NZF's 1.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

NHMRX vs. NZF - Dividend Comparison

NHMRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.09%, less than NZF's 7.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NHMRX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	6.09%	6.54%	5.79%	7.34%	5.64%	4.69%	5.03%	5.39%	5.47%	5.38%	5.88%	5.60%
NZF Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund	7.55%	7.58%	6.84%	4.51%	5.80%	4.63%	4.74%	4.82%	6.05%	5.86%	6.26%	5.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHMRX and NZF in my portfolio?

NHMRX and NZF have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NHMRX or NZF?

NZF has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to NHMRX (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NHMRX dropped -45.45% vs NZF's -48.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NHMRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.45), 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.