EVMBX vs. EIMAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

EVMBX (Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund) and EIMAX (Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Eaton Vance. Over the past 10 years, EVMBX returned 2.19%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for EIMAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EVMBX charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for EIMAX.

Performance

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund (EVMBX) and Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund (EIMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EVMBX achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly higher than EIMAX's 1.63% return. Over the past 10 years, EVMBX has outperformed EIMAX with an annualized return of 2.19%, while EIMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

EVMBX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 2.17%
• 1Y: 6.85%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.60%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

EIMAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 7.13%
• 3Y*: 3.32%
• 5Y*: 0.38%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EVMBX Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund	1.82%	3.63%	2.15%	7.47%	-11.74%	2.13%	5.35%	8.47%	1.43%	5.15%
EIMAX Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund	1.63%	3.76%	1.37%	5.06%	-9.61%	0.57%	4.60%	7.01%	0.65%	4.67%

Correlation

The correlation between EVMBX and EIMAX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 1993	0.84

The correlation between EVMBX and EIMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EVMBX vs. EIMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVMBX

EVMBX Risk / Return Rank: 71
EVMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
EVMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
EVMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
EVMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
EVMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

EIMAX

EIMAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
EIMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EIMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
EIMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
EIMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
EIMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund (EVMBX) and Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund (EIMAX). 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.

	EVMBX	EIMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.51	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.08	4.08	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.66	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	2.63	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.14	8.95	+0.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVMBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the EIMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVMBX and EIMAX, 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

	EVMBX	EIMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.51	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.09	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.38	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.57	-0.02

Drawdowns

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVMBX drawdown since its inception was -36.09%, which is greater than EIMAX's maximum drawdown of -29.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVMBX and EIMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVMBX	EIMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.09%	-29.25%	-6.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-2.77%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.52%	-6.83%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.73%	-14.67%	-2.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.73%	-14.67%	-2.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.36%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.79%	-3.90%	-0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.81%	-0.05%

Volatility

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund (EVMBX) and Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund (EIMAX) have volatilities of 1.07% and 1.11%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EVMBX	EIMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.07%	1.11%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.07%	2.08%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.85%	2.91%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.77%	4.38%	+0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.62%	4.20%	+0.42%

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVMBX has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than EIMAX's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVMBX vs. EIMAX - Dividend Comparison

EVMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.02%, more than EIMAX's 3.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EIMAX Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund	3.60%	4.52%	4.15%	2.39%	2.62%	2.01%	2.58%	3.46%	3.27%	3.41%	3.65%	3.70%
EVMBX Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund	4.02%	5.01%	4.52%	3.69%	3.31%	2.79%	3.20%	4.24%	3.98%	4.10%	4.14%	4.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVMBX and EIMAX in my portfolio?

EVMBX and EIMAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EVMBX or EIMAX?

EIMAX has higher volatility (1.11%) compared to EVMBX (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVMBX dropped -36.09% vs EIMAX's -29.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EIMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.46), 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.