DEFFX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

DEFFX (Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - DEFFX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Delaware Funds, while VTMFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Composite benchmark: Russell 1000 Index and Bloomberg 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, DEFFX returned 1.78%/yr vs 8.36%/yr for VTMFX. Their 0.05 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DEFFX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (DEFFX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEFFX achieves a 0.20% return, which is significantly lower than VTMFX's 5.51% return. Over the past 10 years, DEFFX has underperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 1.78%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.36% annualized return.

DEFFX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -2.66%
• 6M: -0.55%
• YTD: 0.20%
• 1Y: 6.12%
• 3Y*: 3.86%
• 5Y*: 0.32%
• 10Y*: 1.78%
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

VTMFX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.10%
• 6M: 4.41%
• YTD: 5.51%
• 1Y: 12.09%
• 3Y*: 11.66%
• 5Y*: 6.59%
• 10Y*: 8.36%
• ALL TIME*: 7.78%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DEFFX Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEFFX Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund	0.20%	4.51%	3.36%	4.20%	-9.79%	2.13%	4.02%	7.35%	0.89%	5.36%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	5.51%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between DEFFX and VTMFX is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	0.05

Over the past year, DEFFX and VTMFX have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

DEFFX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DEFFX

DEFFX Risk / Return Rank: 59
DEFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DEFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DEFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DEFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
DEFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (DEFFX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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.

	DEFFX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.95	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.75	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.36	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	2.42	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.99	10.80	-4.82

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEFFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEFFX and VTMFX, 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

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEFFX drawdown since its inception was -14.70%, smaller than the maximum VTMFX drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEFFX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEFFX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.70%	-28.49%	+13.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.62%	-5.38%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.80%	-10.61%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.64%	-17.40%	+2.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.70%	-21.87%	+7.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-0.49%	-2.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.80%	-3.53%	+1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	1.20%	-0.14%

Volatility

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (DEFFX) is 1.16%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) has a volatility of 2.05%. This indicates that DEFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEFFX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	2.05%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.85%	5.40%	-2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55%	6.70%	-3.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.75%	8.59%	-3.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.34%	9.15%	-4.81%

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEFFX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEFFX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

DEFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, more than VTMFX's 2.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEFFX Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund	3.39%	4.69%	3.94%	2.81%	2.59%	2.18%	2.77%	3.63%	3.51%	4.33%	3.26%	3.52%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.20%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEFFX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

DEFFX and VTMFX 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, DEFFX or VTMFX?

VTMFX has higher volatility (2.05%) compared to DEFFX (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEFFX dropped -14.70% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.80), 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.