NHYM vs. HTAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NHYM (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF) and HTAX (Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF) are both High Yield Muni funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, NHYM returned 8.84% vs 9.32% for HTAX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NHYM charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HTAX.

Performance

NHYM vs. HTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF (NHYM) and Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NHYM achieves a 2.83% return, which is significantly lower than HTAX's 3.54% return.

NHYM

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 1.10%
• YTD: 2.83%
• 6M: 3.37%
• 1Y: 8.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HTAX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 3.54%
• 6M: 3.87%
• 1Y: 9.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NHYM vs. HTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NHYM Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF	2.83%	2.16%
HTAX Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF	3.54%	1.45%

Correlation

The correlation between NHYM and HTAX is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2025	0.73

The correlation between NHYM and HTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NHYM vs. HTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NHYM

NHYM Risk / Return Rank: 62
NHYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
NHYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
NHYM Omega Ratio Rank: 68
NHYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
NHYM Martin Ratio Rank: 53

HTAX

HTAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
HTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
HTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
HTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
HTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
HTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

NHYM vs. HTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF (NHYM) and Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HTAX). 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.

	NHYM	HTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.99	+0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.95	+0.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	2.77	+0.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.32	8.47	+0.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NHYM vs. HTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NHYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the HTAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NHYM and HTAX, 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

	NHYM	HTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	1.99	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.63	+0.14

Drawdowns

NHYM vs. HTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHYM drawdown since its inception was -6.11%, roughly equal to the maximum HTAX drawdown of -6.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHYM and HTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHYM	HTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.11%	-6.10%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-3.14%	+0.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.74%	-1.78%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.03%	-0.08%

Volatility

NHYM vs. HTAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF (NHYM) is 1.34%, while Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HTAX) has a volatility of 1.42%. This indicates that NHYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NHYM	HTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.34%	1.42%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.65%	3.41%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	4.74%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.94%	6.49%	-0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.94%	6.49%	-0.55%

NHYM vs. HTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NHYM has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HTAX's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

NHYM vs. HTAX - Dividend Comparison

NHYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than HTAX's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
HTAX Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF	4.48%	3.67%
NHYM Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF	4.53%	4.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHYM and HTAX in my portfolio?

NHYM and HTAX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NHYM or HTAX?

HTAX has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to NHYM (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NHYM dropped -6.11% vs HTAX's -6.10%.

Which ETF is better, NHYM or HTAX?

On 1-year performance, HTAX leads with 9.32% vs 8.84% for NHYM. On fees, NHYM is cheaper at 0.35% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NHYM or HTAX?

Over the 1-year period, HTAX has performed better with a 9.32% return vs 8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NHYM or HTAX?

NHYM is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HTAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NHYM or HTAX?

NHYM has the higher dividend yield at 4.53%, compared with 4.48% for HTAX.

What is the main difference between NHYM and HTAX?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Nomura. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NHYM and 0.49% for HTAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NHYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.99), 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.