NRIIX vs. HGLB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NRIIX (Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund) and HGLB (Highland Global Allocation Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 5 years, NRIIX returned 4.84%/yr vs 8.83%/yr for HGLB. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NRIIX charges 0.91%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for HGLB.

Performance

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) and Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NRIIX achieves a 5.03% return, which is significantly higher than HGLB's -8.23% return.

NRIIX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -0.90%
• YTD: 5.03%
• 6M: 6.37%
• 1Y: 11.56%
• 3Y*: 10.88%
• 5Y*: 4.84%
• 10Y*: 5.72%

HGLB

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: -1.79%
• YTD: -8.23%
• 6M: -12.71%
• 1Y: 3.04%
• 3Y*: 11.69%
• 5Y*: 8.83%
• 10Y*: —

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

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NRIIX Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund	5.03%	12.55%	7.56%	10.38%	-11.50%	10.58%	-3.45%	13.93%
HGLB Highland Global Allocation Fund	-8.23%	51.74%	-1.52%	-6.15%	14.53%	53.22%	-17.98%	-31.46%

Correlation

The correlation between NRIIX and HGLB is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2019	0.40

The correlation between NRIIX and HGLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.40 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NRIIX vs. HGLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

NRIIX

NRIIX Risk / Return Rank: 45
NRIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
NRIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
NRIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NRIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
NRIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

HGLB

HGLB Risk / Return Rank: 4
HGLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
HGLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
HGLB Omega Ratio Rank: 4
HGLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
HGLB Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) and Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB). 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.

	NRIIX	HGLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	0.14	+1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	0.37	+2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.05	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	0.13	+2.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.55	0.27	+9.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NRIIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is higher than the HGLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NRIIX and HGLB, 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

	NRIIX	HGLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	0.14	+1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.40	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.12	+0.63

Drawdowns

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NRIIX drawdown since its inception was -37.35%, smaller than the maximum HGLB drawdown of -70.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NRIIX and HGLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NRIIX	HGLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.35%	-70.40%	+33.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.90%	-23.34%	+18.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.02%	-23.34%	+15.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.44%	-29.88%	+11.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-18.36%	+17.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.65%	-18.19%	+14.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	11.16%	-9.96%

Volatility

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund (NRIIX) is 1.63%, while Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) has a volatility of 5.06%. This indicates that NRIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HGLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NRIIX	HGLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.63%	5.06%	-3.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.52%	13.20%	-8.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.79%	21.16%	-15.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.41%	22.07%	-13.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.23%	27.68%	-17.45%

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

NRIIX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than HGLB's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

NRIIX vs. HGLB - Dividend Comparison

NRIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.27%, less than HGLB's 13.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HGLB Highland Global Allocation Fund	13.06%	11.57%	14.27%	12.82%	10.32%	9.39%	15.44%	11.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NRIIX Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund	6.27%	6.71%	5.39%	6.70%	5.81%	4.34%	4.63%	5.99%	5.82%	5.73%	5.47%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NRIIX and HGLB in my portfolio?

NRIIX and HGLB have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NRIIX or HGLB?

HGLB has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to NRIIX (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NRIIX dropped -37.35% vs HGLB's -70.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 0.14), 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.