DFABX vs. SCMTX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) and DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX).

DFABX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 11, 2022. SCMTX is managed by DWS. It was launched on Apr 11, 1983.

Performance

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) and DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	0.58%	2.46%	2.90%	2.87%	0.55%
SCMTX DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	-0.25%	4.51%	1.71%	5.08%	-1.15%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFABX achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly higher than SCMTX's -0.25% return.

DFABX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 0.58%
• 6M: 1.12%
• 1Y: 2.73%
• 3Y*: 2.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCMTX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.49%
• YTD: -0.25%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: 0.79%
• 10Y*: 1.93%

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

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFABX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SCMTX's 0.48% expense ratio.

SCMTX

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

DFABX

DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio

Return for Risk

DFABX vs. SCMTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFABX

DFABX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DFABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
DFABX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

SCMTX

SCMTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
SCMTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCMTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SCMTX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SCMTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SCMTX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) and DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX). 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.

	DFABX	SCMTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.90	1.28	+2.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	7.13	1.70	+5.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.50	1.34	+2.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.84	1.28	+3.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	26.76	4.64	+22.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFABX Sharpe Ratio is 3.90, which is higher than the SCMTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFABX and SCMTX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFABX	SCMTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90	1.28	+2.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.44	1.48	+0.96

Correlation

The correlation between DFABX and SCMTX is 0.42, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Dividend Comparison

DFABX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than SCMTX's 3.62% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.70%	2.33%	2.86%	2.52%	1.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCMTX DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	3.62%	3.26%	2.90%	2.16%	1.70%	2.22%	3.65%	5.20%	2.95%	2.64%	2.56%	2.53%

Drawdowns

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFABX drawdown since its inception was -2.46%, smaller than the maximum SCMTX drawdown of -12.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFABX and SCMTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFABX	SCMTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-12.59%	+10.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.50%	-3.56%	+3.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-12.59%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-12.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-2.49%	+2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.25%	-1.45%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.09%	0.98%	-0.89%

Volatility

DFABX vs. SCMTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) is 0.18%, while DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX) has a volatility of 1.00%. This indicates that DFABX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCMTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFABX	SCMTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.18%	1.00%	-0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.40%	1.54%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71%	3.67%	-2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.97%	3.07%	-2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.97%	3.30%	-2.33%