NQGIX vs. VIHAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

NQGIX (Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund) and VIHAX (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - NQGIX is a Dividend fund managed by Nuveen, while VIHAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, NQGIX returned 10.30%/yr vs 11.25%/yr for VIHAX. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NQGIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VIHAX.

Performance

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund (NQGIX) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIHAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NQGIX achieves a 12.98% return, which is significantly lower than VIHAX's 18.05% return. Over the past 10 years, NQGIX has underperformed VIHAX with an annualized return of 10.30%, while VIHAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.25% annualized return.

NQGIX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 2.70%
• 6M: 8.02%
• YTD: 12.98%
• 1Y: 25.82%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 12.10%
• 10Y*: 10.30%
• ALL TIME*: 8.20%

VIHAX

• 1D: 2.01%
• 1M: 4.98%
• 6M: 11.54%
• YTD: 18.05%
• 1Y: 35.31%
• 3Y*: 21.69%
• 5Y*: 14.15%
• 10Y*: 11.25%
• ALL TIME*: 11.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NQGIX Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VIHAX Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NQGIX Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund	12.98%	27.36%	12.36%	14.50%	-9.28%	22.55%	1.26%	24.40%	-14.41%	18.73%
VIHAX Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	18.05%	38.01%	6.96%	16.81%	-6.88%	15.01%	-0.73%	20.03%	-12.38%	22.40%

Correlation

The correlation between NQGIX and VIHAX is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2016	0.90

The correlation between NQGIX and VIHAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NQGIX vs. VIHAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NQGIX

NQGIX Risk / Return Rank: 88
NQGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
NQGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
NQGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
NQGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
NQGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VIHAX

VIHAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VIHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VIHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VIHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VIHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VIHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund (NQGIX) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIHAX). 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.

	NQGIX	VIHAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.85	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.92	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.52	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	3.62	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.29	13.83	-0.55

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NQGIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the VIHAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NQGIX and VIHAX, 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

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NQGIX drawdown since its inception was -38.52%, roughly equal to the maximum VIHAX drawdown of -38.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NQGIX and VIHAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NQGIX	VIHAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.52%	-38.80%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.26%	-9.53%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.75%	-12.29%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.76%	-23.92%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.52%	-38.80%	+0.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.39%	-5.94%	+0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	2.49%	-0.62%

Volatility

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund (NQGIX) is 3.05%, while Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIHAX) has a volatility of 3.47%. This indicates that NQGIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIHAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NQGIX	VIHAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	3.47%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.71%	10.27%	-1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.86%	12.15%	-1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.35%	13.77%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.61%	15.55%	+0.06%

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NQGIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VIHAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

NQGIX vs. VIHAX - Dividend Comparison

NQGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than VIHAX's 3.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NQGIX Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund	2.31%	2.28%	2.52%	2.54%	5.17%	3.33%	2.71%	2.95%	5.85%	4.03%	2.41%	3.31%
VIHAX Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.43%	3.69%	4.85%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	5.63%	4.28%	3.16%	2.37%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NQGIX and VIHAX in my portfolio?

NQGIX and VIHAX 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, NQGIX or VIHAX?

VIHAX has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to NQGIX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NQGIX dropped -38.52% vs VIHAX's -38.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIHAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 2.30), 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.