SPTL vs. NZF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPTL (SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF) and NZF (Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund) are both funds - SPTL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Long U.S. Treasury Index, while NZF is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPTL returned -1.24%/yr vs 3.63%/yr for NZF. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPTL charges 0.03%/yr vs 1.89%/yr for NZF.

Performance

SPTL vs. NZF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) and Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, SPTL has underperformed NZF with an annualized return of -1.24%, while NZF has yielded a comparatively higher 3.63% annualized return.

SPTL

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.43%
• 1Y: 4.20%
• 3Y*: -0.28%
• 5Y*: -5.55%
• 10Y*: -1.24%

NZF

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 2.43%
• YTD: 3.68%
• 6M: 3.27%
• 1Y: 14.41%
• 3Y*: 10.46%
• 5Y*: 0.01%
• 10Y*: 3.63%

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

SPTL vs. NZF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPTL SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF	0.00%	5.28%	-6.23%	3.30%	-29.44%	-4.99%	18.07%	13.74%	-1.57%	9.01%
NZF Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund	3.68%	11.78%	10.09%	2.49%	-25.53%	11.19%	3.58%	28.33%	-6.79%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between SPTL and NZF is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2007	0.25

The correlation between SPTL and NZF shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (all time) to 0.53 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPTL vs. NZF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPTL

SPTL Risk / Return Rank: 15
SPTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SPTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
SPTL Omega Ratio Rank: 14
SPTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
SPTL Martin Ratio Rank: 15

NZF

NZF Risk / Return Rank: 37
NZF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
NZF Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
NZF Omega Ratio Rank: 37
NZF Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NZF Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

SPTL vs. NZF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) and Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPTL	NZF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	1.36	-0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	2.17	-1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.26	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.46	1.76	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.17	7.22	-6.05

SPTL vs. NZF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPTL Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the NZF Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPTL and NZF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPTL vs. NZF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTL drawdown since its inception was -46.20%, roughly equal to the maximum NZF drawdown of -48.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTL and NZF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTL	NZF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.20%	-48.55%	+2.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.04%	-8.11%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.55%	-15.59%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.02%	-37.42%	-3.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.20%	-37.42%	-8.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.63%	-3.50%	-33.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.27%	-7.77%	-6.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	1.97%	+0.82%

Volatility

SPTL vs. NZF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) is 2.73%, while Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF) has a volatility of 3.61%. This indicates that SPTL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NZF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPTL	NZF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	3.61%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.12%	8.30%	-2.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	10.47%	-1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.61%	12.39%	+2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.95%	13.11%	+0.84%

SPTL vs. NZF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTL has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than NZF's 1.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPTL vs. NZF - Dividend Comparison

SPTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.20%, less than NZF's 7.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NZF Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund	6.92%	7.58%	6.84%	4.51%	5.80%	4.63%	4.74%	4.82%	6.05%	5.86%	6.26%	5.50%
SPTL SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF	4.20%	4.12%	4.03%	3.24%	2.75%	1.68%	1.71%	2.45%	2.69%	2.53%	2.56%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPTL and NZF in my portfolio?

SPTL and NZF have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPTL or NZF?

NZF has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to SPTL (2.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPTL dropped -46.20% vs NZF's -48.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NZF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 0.37), 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.