NMI vs VYM
Nuveen Municipal Income Fund Inc. vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NMI or VYM?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | NMI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.73% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | - | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.65% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 220 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.69% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.85% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.12% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.53% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.4%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,789 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 20, 1988 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
NMI vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.8 years both funds cover.
NMI vs VYM Performance
Nuveen Municipal Income Fund Inc. (NMI) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NMI returned +12.85% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, NMI is up 7.69% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, NMI compounded at +9.12% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.53% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +1.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 11.6% for NMI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -32.4% for NMI and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NMI charges 0.73% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $73 vs $4 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NMI currently yields 4.65% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 95 holdings in NMI and 603 in VYM, totalling 44.9% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 150 days apart, NMI as of Jan 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 95 positions we hold weights for in NMI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 220 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NMI and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NMI or VYM?
NMI has an expense ratio of 0.73% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NMI or VYM?
Over the past year NMI returned +12.85% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), NMI annualized +1.13% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NMI or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 11.6% for NMI. Worst drawdown: NMI -32.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both NMI and VYM?
NMI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, NMI or VYM?
NMI yields 4.65% while VYM yields 2.24%, so NMI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NMI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.