AZTFX vs. APUSX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AZTFX (Aquila Tax Free Trust of Arizona Fund) and APUSX (Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, AZTFX returned 0.44%/yr vs 2.09%/yr for APUSX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AZTFX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for APUSX.

Performance

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AZTFX achieves a 1.59% return, which is significantly higher than APUSX's 0.81% return.

AZTFX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 6.55%
• 3Y*: 3.20%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 1.46%

APUSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 2.47%
• 3Y*: 3.33%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: —

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

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AZTFX Aquila Tax Free Trust of Arizona Fund	1.59%	4.57%	0.76%	4.19%	-8.34%	0.77%	3.64%
APUSX Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund	0.81%	3.88%	3.65%	2.63%	-0.18%	-0.40%	0.15%

Correlation

The correlation between AZTFX and APUSX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2020	0.28

The correlation between AZTFX and APUSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (3 years) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AZTFX vs. APUSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AZTFX

AZTFX Risk / Return Rank: 72
AZTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
AZTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
AZTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
AZTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
AZTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

APUSX

APUSX Risk / Return Rank: 99
APUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
APUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
APUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
APUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
APUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aquila Tax Free Trust of Arizona Fund (AZTFX) and Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund (APUSX). 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.

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.

	AZTFX	APUSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.85	3.20	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.50	9.99	-5.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	5.06	-3.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	24.81	-22.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.81	68.37	-60.56

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AZTFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.85, which is comparable to the APUSX Sharpe Ratio of 3.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AZTFX and APUSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AZTFX drawdown since its inception was -12.40%, which is greater than APUSX's maximum drawdown of -1.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AZTFX and APUSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AZTFX	APUSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.40%	-1.64%	-10.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.80%	-0.10%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.53%	-1.00%	-3.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.40%	-1.35%	-11.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	0.00%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.69%	-0.29%	-1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.04%	+0.80%

Volatility

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Volatility Comparison

Aquila Tax Free Trust of Arizona Fund (AZTFX) has a higher volatility of 0.61% compared to Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund (APUSX) at 0.24%. This indicates that AZTFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than APUSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AZTFX	APUSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.24%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.85%	0.50%	+1.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32%	0.78%	+1.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.24%	1.25%	+1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.21%	1.13%	+2.08%

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AZTFX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than APUSX's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

AZTFX vs. APUSX - Dividend Comparison

AZTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.31%, more than APUSX's 2.44% 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%
AZTFX Aquila Tax Free Trust of Arizona Fund	3.31%	3.28%	2.50%	2.43%	1.66%	1.97%	2.26%	2.94%	2.95%	2.78%	3.09%	3.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AZTFX and APUSX in my portfolio?

AZTFX and APUSX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AZTFX or APUSX?

AZTFX has higher volatility (0.61%) compared to APUSX (0.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AZTFX dropped -12.40% vs APUSX's -1.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APUSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 2.85), 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.