- ISIN
- US9229074078
- CUSIP
- 922907407
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Dec 27, 1978
- Category
- Municipal Bonds
- Min. Investment
- $3,000
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Assets Under Management
- $17B
Share Price Chart
Loading charts...
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Performance
VWAHX Performance Chart
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) is up 2.2% since the beginning of the year. VWAHX is currently trading at $11 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of VWAHX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,073.
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) has returned 2.20% so far this year and 8.04% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VWAHX has returned 2.97% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.61% annually.
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- YTD
- 2.20%
- 6M
- 2.74%
- 1Y
- 8.04%
- 3Y*
- 5.43%
- 5Y*
- 1.42%
- 10Y*
- 2.97%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- 0.50%
- 1M
- -0.17%
- YTD
- 8.56%
- 6M
- 8.85%
- 1Y
- 22.93%
- 3Y*
- 19.37%
- 5Y*
- 11.84%
- 10Y*
- 13.61%
VWAHX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Dec 29, 1978, VWAHX's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.32%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 18.1 years.
Historically, 63% of months were positive and 37% were negative. The best month was Apr 1980 with a return of +8.2%, while the worst month was Aug 1981 at -10.9%. The longest winning streak lasted 12 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 7 months.
On a daily basis, VWAHX closed higher 35% of trading days. The best single day was Apr 30, 1980 with a return of +8.2%, while the worst single day was Aug 31, 1981 at -10.9%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.62% | 1.65% | -2.16% | 1.30% | 0.72% | 0.09% | 2.20% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.32% | 1.49% | -1.50% | -0.76% | -0.53% | 0.83% | -0.72% | 0.84% | 3.27% | 1.39% | 0.34% | -0.04% | 4.96% |
| 2024 | 0.12% | 0.22% | 0.40% | -1.28% | 0.22% | 2.03% | 0.87% | 0.68% | 1.33% | -1.52% | 2.13% | -1.22% | 3.98% |
| 2023 | 3.81% | -2.53% | 2.05% | 0.20% | -0.66% | 1.17% | 0.30% | -1.41% | -3.19% | -1.99% | 7.66% | 3.20% | 8.39% |
| 2022 | -2.69% | -0.78% | -3.40% | -3.53% | 1.38% | -2.88% | 3.33% | -2.70% | -4.69% | -1.61% | 5.84% | -0.19% | -11.76% |
| 2021 | 0.92% | -1.82% | 0.84% | 1.25% | 0.82% | 0.65% | 0.89% | -0.34% | -0.92% | -0.18% | 1.07% | 0.18% | 3.36% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares has an annualized alpha of 3.81%, beta of 0.01, and R2 of 0.00 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since December 29, 1978.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (20.10%) than losses (16.18%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.01 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.00 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.00 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 3.81%
- Beta
- 0.01
- R²
- 0.00
- Upside Capture
- 20.10%
- Downside Capture
- 16.18%
Expense Ratio
VWAHX has an expense ratio of 0.17%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VWAHX ranks 79 for risk / return — better than 79% of mutual funds on our site. You're getting solid returns for the risk taken. A good sign, especially for investors who want growth without excessive volatility.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
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.
| VWAHX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.73 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.68 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.67 | 1.34 | +0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.75 | 2.53 | +0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.99 | 11.37 | -1.38 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares provided a 4.05% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.43 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 3 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.43 | $0.53 | $0.47 | $0.38 | $0.34 | $0.36 | $0.40 | $0.46 | $0.42 | $0.42 | $0.41 | $0.42 |
Dividend yield | 4.05% | 4.95% | 4.38% | 3.53% | 3.36% | 2.98% | 3.31% | 3.94% | 3.78% | 3.68% | 3.75% | 3.67% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.00 | $0.18 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.03 | $0.07 | $0.07 | $0.07 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.53 |
| 2024 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.07 | $0.07 | $0.47 |
| 2023 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.38 |
| 2022 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.34 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.10 | $0.36 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
Loading charts...
Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares was 40.26%, occurring on Dec 31, 1981. Recovery took 2523 trading sessions.
The current Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares drawdown is 0.19%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1981 bear market1981 | -40.26%Dec 1981 | 2y 3mo | 9y 11mo | 12y 2moSep 1979 - Dec 1991 |
Bear market2022 | -17.32%Oct 2022 | 1y 2mo | 1y 11mo | 3y 1moAug 2021 - Oct 2024 |
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -15.19%Dec 2008 | 10mo 26d | 8mo 8d | 1y 6moJan 2008 - Aug 2009 |
COVID crash2020 | -13.29%Mar 2020 | 17d | 8mo 5d | 8mo 22dMar 2020 - Nov 2020 |
1994 correction1994 | -11.32%Nov 1994 | 9mo 20d | 3mo 10d | 1y 25dFeb 1994 - Mar 1995 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VWAHX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.26% | -56.78% | +16.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.05% | -9.10% | +6.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.12% | -18.90% | +11.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.32% | -25.43% | +8.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.32% | -33.92% | +16.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.19% | -2.34% | +2.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.93% | -10.72% | +3.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.84% | 2.02% | -1.18% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Build a portfolio with VWAHX
Add Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares to a portfolio and analyze allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Analyzer with VWAHX