BSNIX vs. AFTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSNIX (Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class) and AFTEX (American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, BSNIX returned 2.23%/yr vs 0.93%/yr for AFTEX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BSNIX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AFTEX.

Performance

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class (BSNIX) and American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSNIX achieves a 1.17% return, which is significantly lower than AFTEX's 1.58% return.

BSNIX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 1.17%
• 6M: 1.49%
• 1Y: 5.89%
• 3Y*: 4.52%
• 5Y*: 2.23%
• 10Y*: —

AFTEX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.03%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 2.18%

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

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BSNIX Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class	1.17%	4.90%	3.17%	6.78%	-5.31%	2.26%	8.39%	0.88%
AFTEX American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund	1.58%	4.88%	2.28%	5.96%	-9.68%	1.87%	4.73%	1.08%

Correlation

The correlation between BSNIX and AFTEX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2019	0.82

The correlation between BSNIX and AFTEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BSNIX vs. AFTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSNIX

BSNIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
BSNIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
BSNIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
BSNIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
BSNIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
BSNIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

AFTEX

AFTEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
AFTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AFTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
AFTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AFTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
AFTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class (BSNIX) and American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX). 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.

	BSNIX	AFTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.63	2.68	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.49	4.22	+1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.02	1.66	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	2.56	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.44	8.94	+1.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSNIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.63, which is higher than the AFTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSNIX and AFTEX, 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

	BSNIX	AFTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.63	2.68	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.25	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	1.43	-0.44

Drawdowns

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSNIX drawdown since its inception was -9.58%, smaller than the maximum AFTEX drawdown of -14.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSNIX and AFTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSNIX	AFTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.58%	-14.55%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.09%	-2.76%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.41%	-5.21%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.58%	-14.55%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-14.55%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.42%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-1.66%	+0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.79%	-0.22%

Volatility

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class (BSNIX) is 0.56%, while American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX) has a volatility of 1.07%. This indicates that BSNIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AFTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSNIX	AFTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	1.07%	-0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.29%	2.01%	-0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63%	2.65%	-1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.68%	3.76%	-1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.36%	3.79%	-0.43%

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSNIX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than AFTEX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSNIX vs. AFTEX - Dividend Comparison

BSNIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%, more than AFTEX's 3.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFTEX American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund	3.01%	3.98%	2.90%	2.22%	1.75%	2.31%	2.43%	2.83%	2.86%	3.30%	2.90%	3.21%
BSNIX Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Class	3.27%	3.29%	3.51%	3.22%	2.09%	1.58%	2.23%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSNIX and AFTEX in my portfolio?

BSNIX and AFTEX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSNIX or AFTEX?

AFTEX has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to BSNIX (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSNIX dropped -9.58% vs AFTEX's -14.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSNIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.63 vs 2.68), 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.