NHYM vs. SHYM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NHYM (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF) and SHYM (iShares Short Duration High Yield Muni Active ETF) are both High Yield Muni funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, NHYM returned 8.84% vs 5.14% for SHYM. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

NHYM vs. SHYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF (NHYM) and iShares Short Duration High Yield Muni Active ETF (SHYM). 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 higher than SHYM's 1.93% return.

NHYM

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

SHYM

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 1.93%
• 6M: 2.24%
• 1Y: 5.14%
• 3Y*: 6.00%
• 5Y*: 1.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

NHYM vs. SHYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NHYM Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF	2.83%	3.25%
SHYM iShares Short Duration High Yield Muni Active ETF	1.93%	1.91%

Correlation

The correlation between NHYM and SHYM is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2025	0.57

The correlation between NHYM and SHYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NHYM vs. SHYM — 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

SHYM

SHYM Risk / Return Rank: 49
SHYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SHYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
SHYM Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SHYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SHYM Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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. SHYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF (NHYM) and iShares Short Duration High Yield Muni Active ETF (SHYM). 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	SHYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.72	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.52	+0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	2.15	+1.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.32	7.27	+2.05
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. SHYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NHYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the SHYM Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NHYM and SHYM, 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	SHYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	1.72	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.27	+0.50

Drawdowns

NHYM vs. SHYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHYM drawdown since its inception was -6.11%, smaller than the maximum SHYM drawdown of -22.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHYM and SHYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHYM	SHYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.11%	-22.55%	+16.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-2.23%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-8.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.55%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.74%	-6.77%	+5.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	0.66%	+0.29%

Volatility

NHYM vs. SHYM - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF (NHYM) has a higher volatility of 1.34% compared to iShares Short Duration High Yield Muni Active ETF (SHYM) at 0.78%. This indicates that NHYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NHYM	SHYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.34%	0.78%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.65%	1.81%	+0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	3.01%	+1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.94%	7.07%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.94%	6.95%	-1.01%

NHYM vs. SHYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NHYM and SHYM have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

NHYM vs. SHYM - Dividend Comparison

NHYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than SHYM's 4.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NHYM Nuveen High Yield Municipal Income ETF	4.53%	4.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SHYM iShares Short Duration High Yield Muni Active ETF	4.30%	4.55%	4.35%	4.35%	4.01%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHYM and SHYM in my portfolio?

NHYM and SHYM have a correlation of 0.57, 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 SHYM?

NHYM has higher volatility (1.34%) compared to SHYM (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NHYM dropped -6.11% vs SHYM's -22.55%.

Which ETF is better, NHYM or SHYM?

On 1-year performance, NHYM leads with 8.84% vs 5.14% for SHYM. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, SHYM has been the lower-risk option at 0.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NHYM or SHYM?

Over the 1-year period, NHYM has performed better with a 8.84% return vs 5.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NHYM or SHYM?

NHYM and SHYM have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

NHYM has the higher dividend yield at 4.53%, compared with 4.30% for SHYM.

What is the main difference between NHYM and SHYM?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NHYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.72), 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.