MetaCap

Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) vs Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Calamos Strategic Total Return is the larger company by market cap ($3.29 billion vs $2.09 billion), about 1.6 times the size. On valuation, Calamos Strategic Total Return trades at a lower trailing P/E (3.1x vs 11.7x for Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund). Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund offers the higher dividend yield (8.95% vs 3.00%).

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Head-to-head

CSQ versus NZF key metrics
MetricCSQNZF
Share price$20.51$10.66
Market cap$3.29B$2.09B
1-day change-0.44%-2.11%
YTD return+6.82%—
1-year return+6.21%—
5-year return+12.26%—
P/E ratio (TTM)3.1411.71
EPS (TTM)$6.53$0.91
Dividend yield3.00%8.95%
Annual dividend$0.615$0.954
52-week high$21.17$13.02
52-week low$16.41$10.45
Distance from 52-week high-3.12%-18.13%
Analyst consensus—hold
Average volume185.82K840.33K
Shares outstanding160.37M196.39M
SectorFinancial ServicesFinancial Services
IndustryAsset ManagementAsset Management

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.7x vs 3.1x trailing P/E).
  • Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (8.95% vs 3.00%).

About Calamos Strategic Total Return

CSQ stock →

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched by Calamos Investments LLC. The fund is managed by Calamos Advisors LLC.

Financial Services · Asset Management

About Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

NZF stock →

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc. The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC.

Financial Services · Asset Management

CSQ vs NZF FAQ

Which is bigger, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund?

Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.29B compared with $2.09B for Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF).

Which has the lower P/E ratio, CSQ or NZF?

CSQ has the lower trailing P/E at 3.1, versus 11.7 for NZF. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund?

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund has the higher yield at 8.95%, compared with 3.00% for Calamos Strategic Total Return.

Are Calamos Strategic Total Return and Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Asset Management industry within the Financial Services sector.

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