BAB vs. ZTAX
BAB (Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF) and ZTAX (X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. BAB is passively managed, while ZTAX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BAB returned 4.56%/yr vs 4.27%/yr for ZTAX. At a 0.00 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BAB charges 0.28%/yr vs 1.14%/yr for ZTAX.
Performance
BAB vs. ZTAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BAB achieves a 1.16% return, which is significantly lower than ZTAX's 1.66% return.
BAB
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- 1.87%
- YTD
- 1.16%
- 6M
- 0.82%
- 1Y
- 6.59%
- 3Y*
- 4.56%
- 5Y*
- -0.35%
- 10Y*
- 2.22%
ZTAX
- 1D
- -1.45%
- 1M
- 1.21%
- YTD
- 1.66%
- 6M
- 2.86%
- 1Y
- 6.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.27%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
BAB vs. ZTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BAB Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF | 1.16% | 8.30% | 1.03% | 3.87% |
ZTAX X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF | 1.66% | -1.02% | 7.98% | 3.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between BAB and ZTAX is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2023 | 0.00 |
The correlation between BAB and ZTAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.00 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BAB vs. ZTAX — Risk / Return Rank
BAB
ZTAX
BAB vs. ZTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF (BAB) and X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX). 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.
| BAB | ZTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.09 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 0.57 | +1.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.26 | 1.37 | +2.89 |
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Drawdowns
BAB vs. ZTAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BAB drawdown since its inception was -27.80%, which is greater than ZTAX's maximum drawdown of -15.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAB and ZTAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BAB | ZTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.80% | -15.33% | -12.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.15% | -10.99% | +6.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.57% | -15.33% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.95% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.80% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.66% | -10.74% | +6.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.31% | -6.82% | +1.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.55% | 4.57% | -3.02% |
Volatility
BAB vs. ZTAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF (BAB) is 1.18%, while X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) has a volatility of 19.64%. This indicates that BAB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BAB | ZTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.18% | 19.64% | -18.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.82% | 28.28% | -24.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.70% | 32.32% | -26.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.32% | 28.90% | -20.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.69% | 28.90% | -19.21% |
BAB vs. ZTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BAB has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than ZTAX's 1.14% expense ratio.
Dividends
BAB vs. ZTAX - Dividend Comparison
BAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, less than ZTAX's 4.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BAB Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF | 4.09% | 3.96% | 3.97% | 3.65% | 3.40% | 2.63% | 2.96% | 3.77% | 4.20% | 3.96% | 4.26% | 4.71% |
ZTAX X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF | 4.50% | 4.58% | 4.55% | 2.14% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BAB and ZTAX have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ZTAX has higher volatility (19.64%) compared to BAB (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAB dropped -27.80% vs ZTAX's -15.33%.
On 3-year performance, BAB leads with 4.56% vs 4.27% for ZTAX. On fees, BAB is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, BAB has been the lower-risk option at 1.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, BAB has performed better with a 4.56% return vs 4.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BAB is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for ZTAX.
ZTAX has the higher dividend yield at 4.50%, compared with 4.09% for BAB.
They also come from different issuers: Invesco and X-Square. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for BAB and 1.14% for ZTAX.
BAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs 0.19), 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.
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