NZF vs. JPC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NZF (Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund) and JPC (Nuveen Preferred and Income Opportunities Fund) are both mutual funds - NZF is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National Municipal Bond Index, while JPC is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund managed by Nuveen. Over the past 10 years, NZF returned 3.56%/yr vs 5.70%/yr for JPC. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NZF charges 1.89%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for JPC.

Performance

NZF vs. JPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF) and Nuveen Preferred and Income Opportunities Fund (JPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NZF achieves a 2.37% return, which is significantly higher than JPC's 0.12% return. Over the past 10 years, NZF has underperformed JPC with an annualized return of 3.56%, while JPC has yielded a comparatively higher 5.70% annualized return.

NZF

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 1.64%
• 1Y: 14.20%
• 3Y*: 10.44%
• 5Y*: -0.15%
• 10Y*: 3.56%

JPC

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 6M: -1.30%
• 1Y: 8.95%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 4.08%
• 10Y*: 5.70%

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

NZF vs. JPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NZF Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund	2.37%	11.78%	10.09%	2.49%	-25.53%	11.19%	3.58%	28.33%	-6.79%	14.48%
JPC Nuveen Preferred and Income Opportunities Fund	0.12%	14.00%	27.58%	0.75%	-19.18%	9.75%	-2.09%	35.25%	-12.70%	13.35%

Correlation

The correlation between NZF and JPC is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2003	0.30

The correlation between NZF and JPC shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.45 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NZF vs. JPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NZF

NZF Risk / Return Rank: 26
NZF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NZF Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
NZF Omega Ratio Rank: 25
NZF Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
NZF Martin Ratio Rank: 32

JPC

JPC Risk / Return Rank: 11
JPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
JPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
JPC Omega Ratio Rank: 12
JPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
JPC Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

NZF vs. JPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF) and Nuveen Preferred and Income Opportunities Fund (JPC). 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.

	NZF	JPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	0.80	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	1.20	+0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.18	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	0.79	+0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.24	4.30	+2.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NZF vs. JPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NZF Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is higher than the JPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NZF and JPC, 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

	NZF	JPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	0.80	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	0.28	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.28	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.26	+0.11

Drawdowns

NZF vs. JPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NZF drawdown since its inception was -48.55%, smaller than the maximum JPC drawdown of -76.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NZF and JPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NZF	JPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.55%	-76.07%	+27.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.11%	-11.43%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-11.65%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.42%	-32.26%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.42%	-52.53%	+15.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.72%	-3.07%	-1.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.77%	-9.95%	+2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.08%	-0.11%

Volatility

NZF vs. JPC - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF) and Nuveen Preferred and Income Opportunities Fund (JPC) have volatilities of 3.51% and 3.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NZF	JPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	3.41%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.14%	10.04%	-1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.34%	11.19%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.37%	14.51%	-2.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.10%	20.63%	-7.53%

NZF vs. JPC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NZF has a 1.89% expense ratio, which is higher than JPC's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

NZF vs. JPC - Dividend Comparison

NZF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.64%, less than JPC's 9.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JPC Nuveen Preferred and Income Opportunities Fund	9.91%	9.79%	8.94%	8.00%	8.74%	6.52%	6.95%	7.00%	9.02%	7.50%	8.14%	8.65%
NZF Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund	7.64%	7.58%	6.84%	4.51%	5.80%	4.63%	4.74%	4.82%	6.05%	5.86%	6.26%	5.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NZF and JPC in my portfolio?

NZF and JPC have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NZF or JPC?

NZF has higher volatility (3.51%) compared to JPC (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NZF dropped -48.55% vs JPC's -76.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NZF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.80), 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.