PRFHX vs. NHMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRFHX (T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund) and NHMAX (Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, PRFHX returned 3.06%/yr vs 3.47%/yr for NHMAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRFHX charges 0.63%/yr vs 2.00%/yr for NHMAX.

Performance

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX) and Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PRFHX having a 2.99% return and NHMAX slightly higher at 3.09%. Over the past 10 years, PRFHX has underperformed NHMAX with an annualized return of 3.06%, while NHMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.47% annualized return.

PRFHX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 2.99%
• 6M: 3.78%
• 1Y: 11.23%
• 3Y*: 6.47%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 3.06%

NHMAX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.75%
• 1Y: 9.81%
• 3Y*: 4.99%
• 5Y*: 0.97%
• 10Y*: 3.47%

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

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRFHX T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund	2.99%	5.53%	7.00%	7.65%	-14.41%	6.09%	3.40%	9.03%	0.66%	7.31%
NHMAX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A	3.09%	2.98%	5.36%	6.96%	-15.14%	9.71%	3.03%	11.96%	1.79%	11.90%

Correlation

The correlation between PRFHX and NHMAX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 1999	0.76

The correlation between PRFHX and NHMAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRFHX vs. NHMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRFHX

PRFHX Risk / Return Rank: 91
PRFHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PRFHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PRFHX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PRFHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PRFHX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

NHMAX

NHMAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
NHMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
NHMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
NHMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NHMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
NHMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX) and Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX). 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.

	PRFHX	NHMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.44	2.20	+1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.62	3.49	+2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.83	1.50	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.17	2.74	+1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.49	8.14	+7.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRFHX Sharpe Ratio is 3.44, which is higher than the NHMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRFHX and NHMAX, 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

	PRFHX	NHMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44	2.20	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.14	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.52	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.29	0.85	+0.44

Drawdowns

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRFHX drawdown since its inception was -24.76%, smaller than the maximum NHMAX drawdown of -45.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRFHX and NHMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRFHX	NHMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.76%	-45.60%	+20.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.75%	-3.58%	+0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.91%	-10.58%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.81%	-21.65%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.81%	-22.22%	+3.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.77%	-5.49%	+2.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	1.20%	-0.47%

Volatility

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX) is 1.14%, while Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A (NHMAX) has a volatility of 1.54%. This indicates that PRFHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NHMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRFHX	NHMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	1.54%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.37%	3.13%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.35%	4.48%	-1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.89%	6.83%	-1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.65%	6.70%	-2.05%

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRFHX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than NHMAX's 2.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRFHX vs. NHMAX - Dividend Comparison

PRFHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.47%, less than NHMAX's 5.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NHMAX Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Class A	5.87%	6.30%	5.54%	7.10%	5.41%	4.49%	4.83%	4.77%	5.26%	5.20%	5.61%	5.39%
PRFHX T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund	5.47%	5.46%	4.75%	4.19%	2.81%	3.01%	3.47%	3.52%	3.71%	3.64%	3.88%	4.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRFHX and NHMAX in my portfolio?

PRFHX and NHMAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRFHX or NHMAX?

NHMAX has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to PRFHX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRFHX dropped -24.76% vs NHMAX's -45.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRFHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.44 vs 2.20), 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.