NMT vs VYM
Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NMT or VYM?
Municipal Massachusetts 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 | NMT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.90% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | - | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 114 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.92% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.91% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.55% | +18.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.29% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.7%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,371 | $17,901Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Massachusetts | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 18, 1993 | 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 21, 2026 (19.8 years).
NMT 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.
NMT vs VYM Performance
Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund (NMT) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NMT returned +0.91% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, NMT is up 2.92% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, NMT compounded at +10.55% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -1.29% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +0.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 12.8% for NMT. 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 -40.7% for NMT 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 0.19. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NMT charges 3.90% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $390 vs $4 annually, a gap of $386 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NMT currently yields 7.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 27 holdings in NMT and 557 in VYM, totalling 26.5% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in NMT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 114 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NMT 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, NMT or VYM?
NMT has an expense ratio of 3.90% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $386 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NMT or VYM?
Over the past year NMT returned +0.91% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), NMT annualized +0.05% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NMT or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 12.8% for NMT. Worst drawdown: NMT -40.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both NMT and VYM?
NMT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.19, 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, NMT or VYM?
NMT yields 7.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so NMT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NMT?
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.