VCAIX vs. NQP

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VCAIX (Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and NQP (Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income) are both Municipal Bonds funds. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCAIX charges 0.17%/yr vs 1.27%/yr for NQP.

Performance

VCAIX vs. NQP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCAIX) and Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income (NQP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VCAIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 1.48%
• 1Y: 6.58%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 2.27%

NQP

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VCAIX vs. NQP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCAIX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.13%	5.83%	2.15%	5.82%	-6.69%	0.40%	4.53%	6.95%	1.19%	4.83%
NQP Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income	3.84%	15.46%	2.70%	7.44%	-21.95%	7.75%	7.08%	21.21%	-2.28%	5.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VCAIX and NQP is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 1994	0.27

The correlation between VCAIX and NQP shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.55 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCAIX vs. NQP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCAIX

VCAIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VCAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VCAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VCAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VCAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VCAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VCAIX vs. NQP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCAIX) and Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income (NQP). 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.

	VCAIX	NQP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.64	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.79	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.44	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCAIX	NQP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	VCAIX	NQP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.22%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.01%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.36%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VCAIX	NQP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.78%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.24%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.42%	—	—

VCAIX vs. NQP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCAIX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than NQP's 1.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCAIX vs. NQP - Dividend Comparison

VCAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.09%, less than NQP's 7.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NQP Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income	7.13%	7.87%	6.69%	3.07%	4.89%	4.51%	4.38%	4.23%	5.34%	5.34%	5.67%	6.10%
VCAIX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.09%	3.75%	3.27%	2.49%	2.28%	1.71%	2.19%	2.64%	2.63%	2.56%	2.65%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCAIX and NQP in my portfolio?

VCAIX and NQP have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.