APUSX vs. COLTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

APUSX (Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund) and COLTX (Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, APUSX returned 2.09%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for COLTX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. APUSX charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for COLTX.

Performance

APUSX vs. COLTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund (APUSX) and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (COLTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APUSX achieves a 0.81% return, which is significantly lower than COLTX's 2.32% return.

APUSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 2.47%
• 3Y*: 3.37%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: —

COLTX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: 2.32%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: 8.67%
• 3Y*: 4.48%
• 5Y*: 0.67%
• 10Y*: 1.98%

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

APUSX vs. COLTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
APUSX Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund	0.81%	3.88%	3.65%	2.63%	-0.18%	-0.40%	0.15%
COLTX Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund	2.32%	3.86%	3.47%	6.60%	-12.56%	3.01%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between APUSX and COLTX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2020	0.25

The correlation between APUSX and COLTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (3 years) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

APUSX vs. COLTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

APUSX

APUSX Risk / Return Rank: 98
APUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
APUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
APUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
APUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
APUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

COLTX

COLTX Risk / Return Rank: 66
COLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
COLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
COLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
COLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
COLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

APUSX vs. COLTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund (APUSX) and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (COLTX). 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.

	APUSX	COLTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	2.41	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.99	3.84	+6.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	5.06	1.56	+3.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	24.81	2.77	+22.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	68.37	9.57	+58.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

APUSX vs. COLTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APUSX Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is higher than the COLTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APUSX and COLTX, 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

	APUSX	COLTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20	2.41	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.68	0.13	+1.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.45	0.95	+0.50

Drawdowns

APUSX vs. COLTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APUSX drawdown since its inception was -1.64%, smaller than the maximum COLTX drawdown of -18.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APUSX and COLTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	APUSX	COLTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.64%	-18.07%	+16.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.10%	-3.11%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.00%	-8.08%	+7.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.35%	-18.07%	+16.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.29%	-2.63%	+2.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.04%	0.90%	-0.86%

Volatility

APUSX vs. COLTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund (APUSX) is 0.24%, while Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (COLTX) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that APUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COLTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APUSX	COLTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.24%	1.38%	-1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.54%	2.59%	-2.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78%	3.60%	-2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.25%	5.24%	-3.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.13%	4.98%	-3.85%

APUSX vs. COLTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

APUSX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than COLTX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

APUSX vs. COLTX - Dividend Comparison

APUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than COLTX's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APUSX Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund	2.44%	3.69%	3.68%	1.69%	0.33%	0.00%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
COLTX Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund	3.74%	4.91%	3.66%	3.15%	3.05%	3.20%	3.27%	4.60%	3.80%	3.86%	4.15%	4.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APUSX and COLTX in my portfolio?

APUSX and COLTX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APUSX or COLTX?

COLTX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to APUSX (0.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APUSX dropped -1.64% vs COLTX's -18.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APUSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 2.41), 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.