ALTHX vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALTHX (AB Municipal Income Fund National Portfolio) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - ALTHX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by AllianceBernstein, while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 10 years, ALTHX returned 2.11%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for VDADX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. ALTHX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Municipal Income Fund National Portfolio (ALTHX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALTHX achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly lower than VDADX's 7.70% return. Over the past 10 years, ALTHX has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 2.11%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.22% annualized return.

ALTHX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 1.98%
• 1Y: 7.24%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 0.96%
• 10Y*: 2.11%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 3.96%
• YTD: 7.70%
• 6M: 7.14%
• 1Y: 19.81%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALTHX AB Municipal Income Fund National Portfolio	1.68%	5.05%	2.36%	5.76%	-10.06%	2.15%	4.77%	7.22%	0.46%	5.75%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.70%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ALTHX and VDADX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2013	-0.02

The correlation between ALTHX and VDADX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ALTHX vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALTHX

ALTHX Risk / Return Rank: 68
ALTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ALTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ALTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ALTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
ALTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Municipal Income Fund National Portfolio (ALTHX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

	ALTHX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.05	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.24	2.98	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.37	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.61	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.78	10.51	-1.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALTHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALTHX and VDADX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ALTHX	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.05	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.76	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.82	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	0.76	+0.36

Drawdowns

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALTHX drawdown since its inception was -15.22%, smaller than the maximum VDADX drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTHX and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALTHX	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.22%	-31.70%	+16.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.85%	-7.93%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.46%	-14.95%	+9.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.37%	-20.42%	+6.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.37%	-31.70%	+17.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	0.00%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-3.41%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	1.96%	-1.15%

Volatility

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Municipal Income Fund National Portfolio (ALTHX) is 1.08%, while Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that ALTHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALTHX	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.08%	2.31%	-1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.03%	7.65%	-5.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74%	10.07%	-7.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.89%	14.27%	-10.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.96%	16.20%	-12.24%

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALTHX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VDADX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALTHX vs. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

ALTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALTHX AB Municipal Income Fund National Portfolio	3.49%	4.55%	3.27%	2.73%	2.34%	1.57%	2.43%	2.84%	3.12%	3.01%	3.11%	3.37%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALTHX and VDADX in my portfolio?

ALTHX and VDADX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALTHX or VDADX?

VDADX has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to ALTHX (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALTHX dropped -15.22% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.05), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.