NUMI vs. MUB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUMI (Nuveen Municipal Income ETF) and MUB (iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. NUMI is actively managed, while MUB is passively managed. Over the past year, NUMI returned 7.75% vs 6.95% for MUB. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NUMI charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for MUB.

Performance

NUMI vs. MUB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Municipal Income ETF (NUMI) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUMI achieves a 1.53% return, which is significantly higher than MUB's 1.24% return.

NUMI

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MUB

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 6.95%
• 3Y*: 3.43%
• 5Y*: 0.86%
• 10Y*: 2.00%

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

NUMI vs. MUB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NUMI Nuveen Municipal Income ETF	1.53%	3.84%
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF	1.24%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between NUMI and MUB is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2025	0.78

The correlation between NUMI and MUB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NUMI vs. MUB — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUMI

NUMI Risk / Return Rank: 66
NUMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
NUMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
NUMI Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NUMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
NUMI Martin Ratio Rank: 51

MUB

MUB Risk / Return Rank: 66
MUB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
MUB Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
MUB Omega Ratio Rank: 81
MUB Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
MUB Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

NUMI vs. MUB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Municipal Income ETF (NUMI) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB). 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.

	NUMI	MUB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.39	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.49	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.50	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.50	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.62	8.85	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUMI vs. MUB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUMI Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the MUB Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUMI and MUB, 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

	NUMI	MUB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	2.39	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.58	+0.33

Drawdowns

NUMI vs. MUB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUMI drawdown since its inception was -4.72%, smaller than the maximum MUB drawdown of -13.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUMI and MUB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUMI	MUB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.72%	-13.68%	+8.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-2.79%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.34%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.88%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-13.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-0.70%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.39%	-2.23%	+0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.79%	+0.11%

Volatility

NUMI vs. MUB - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Municipal Income ETF (NUMI) has a higher volatility of 1.05% compared to iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) at 0.97%. This indicates that NUMI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MUB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUMI	MUB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	0.97%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.23%	2.22%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.48%	2.92%	+0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.39%	4.06%	+0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.39%	4.92%	-0.53%

NUMI vs. MUB - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUMI has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than MUB's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUMI vs. MUB - Dividend Comparison

NUMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, more than MUB's 3.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF	3.17%	3.14%	3.01%	2.65%	2.11%	1.81%	2.11%	2.42%	2.46%	2.26%	2.21%	2.51%
NUMI Nuveen Municipal Income ETF	3.66%	3.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUMI and MUB in my portfolio?

NUMI and MUB have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUMI or MUB?

NUMI has higher volatility (1.05%) compared to MUB (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUMI dropped -4.72% vs MUB's -13.68%.

Which ETF is better, NUMI or MUB?

On 1-year performance, NUMI leads with 7.75% vs 6.95% for MUB. On fees, MUB is cheaper at 0.07% 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, NUMI or MUB?

Over the 1-year period, NUMI has performed better with a 7.75% return vs 6.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUMI or MUB?

MUB is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for NUMI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUMI or MUB?

NUMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.66%, compared with 3.17% for MUB.

What is the main difference between NUMI and MUB?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for NUMI and 0.07% for MUB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MUB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.24), 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.