BSV vs. TAXS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while TAXS is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BSV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.

Performance

BSV vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than TAXS's 0.93% return.

BSV

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 0.52%
• 1Y: 3.68%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.62%
• 10Y*: 1.95%

TAXS

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BSV vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	0.29%	1.86%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.93%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between BSV and TAXS is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.50

Return for Risk

BSV vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSV

BSV Risk / Return Rank: 61
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

BSV vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). 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.

	BSV	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.07	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BSV	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	2.78	-1.93

Drawdowns

BSV vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and TAXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSV	TAXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.54%	-0.84%	-7.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.53%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.54%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-0.09%	-0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-0.24%	-0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BSV	TAXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.52%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.26%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81%	1.00%	+0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.72%	1.00%	+1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.37%	1.00%	+1.37%

BSV vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than TAXS's 0.05% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BSV vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison

BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than TAXS's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	4.00%	3.83%	3.38%	2.46%	1.50%	1.45%	1.79%	2.29%	1.99%	1.65%	1.48%	1.40%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.83%	0.74%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSV and TAXS in my portfolio?

BSV and TAXS have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BSV or TAXS?

On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSV or TAXS?

BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for TAXS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSV or TAXS?

BSV has the higher dividend yield at 4.00%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between BSV and TAXS?

BSV is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while TAXS is Municipal Bonds. BSV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BSV and 0.05% for TAXS.