NVHIX vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NVHIX (Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both funds - NVHIX is a High Yield Muni fund managed by Nuveen, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, NVHIX returned 3.21%/yr vs 9.21%/yr for EFA. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NVHIX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

NVHIX vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NVHIX) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NVHIX achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 9.36% return. Over the past 10 years, NVHIX has underperformed EFA with an annualized return of 3.21%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively higher 9.21% annualized return.

NVHIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 2.25%
• 1Y: 4.80%
• 3Y*: 4.33%
• 5Y*: 2.08%
• 10Y*: 3.21%

EFA

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 2.86%
• YTD: 9.36%
• 6M: 12.50%
• 1Y: 21.18%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

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

NVHIX vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NVHIX Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	1.82%	2.43%	6.88%	3.54%	-6.73%	8.44%	-0.10%	8.27%	3.47%	8.17%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	9.36%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	11.45%	7.60%	22.04%	-13.82%	25.07%

Correlation

The correlation between NVHIX and EFA is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2013	0.04

Over the past year, NVHIX and EFA have become more correlated (0.24) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

NVHIX vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

NVHIX

NVHIX Risk / Return Rank: 57
NVHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
NVHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
NVHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NVHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NVHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 41
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

NVHIX vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NVHIX) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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.

	NVHIX	EFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.42	+0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	2.05	+1.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.26	+0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	1.97	+0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.93	7.39	-0.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NVHIX vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NVHIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NVHIX and EFA, 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

	NVHIX	EFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.42	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.53	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.54	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	0.31	+0.80

Drawdowns

NVHIX vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NVHIX drawdown since its inception was -13.54%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVHIX and EFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	NVHIX	EFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.54%	-61.04%	+47.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.80%	-11.42%	+9.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.72%	-14.05%	+9.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.54%	-29.53%	+18.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.54%	-34.19%	+20.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.61%	+0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-11.94%	+9.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	3.04%	-2.33%

Volatility

NVHIX vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (NVHIX) is 0.68%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that NVHIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NVHIX	EFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.68%	5.12%	-4.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.55%	12.49%	-10.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25%	15.06%	-12.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.33%	16.48%	-13.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.47%	17.26%	-13.79%

NVHIX vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NVHIX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

NVHIX vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

NVHIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than EFA's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.09%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
NVHIX Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	4.56%	5.15%	4.36%	4.41%	3.84%	3.43%	3.90%	4.03%	3.90%	3.78%	3.62%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NVHIX and EFA in my portfolio?

NVHIX and EFA have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NVHIX or EFA?

EFA has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to NVHIX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVHIX dropped -13.54% vs EFA's -61.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.42), 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.