FFTFX vs. LSMSX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund (FFTFX) and Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX).

FFTFX is managed by Franklin Templeton. It was launched on Sep 1, 2003. LSMSX is managed by Franklin Templeton. It was launched on Dec 22, 2015.

Performance

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund (FFTFX) and Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFTFX Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund	0.05%	5.07%	3.88%	3.89%	-3.59%	-0.21%	2.85%	3.81%	1.39%	0.13%
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	0.04%	3.22%	2.22%	7.96%	-10.03%	4.11%	4.48%	8.16%	0.46%	4.92%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FFTFX achieves a 0.05% return, which is significantly higher than LSMSX's 0.04% return.

FFTFX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -1.05%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 3.52%
• 3Y*: 3.81%
• 5Y*: 1.85%
• 10Y*: 1.69%

LSMSX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 6M: 1.43%
• 1Y: 3.42%
• 3Y*: 3.36%
• 5Y*: 1.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFTFX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than LSMSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

FFTFX

Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund

LSMSX

Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund

Return for Risk

FFTFX vs. LSMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FFTFX

FFTFX Risk / Return Rank: 90
FFTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FFTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FFTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FFTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FFTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

LSMSX

LSMSX Risk / Return Rank: 21
LSMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
LSMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
LSMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
LSMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
LSMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund (FFTFX) and Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX). 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.

	FFTFX	LSMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	0.69	+1.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	0.91	+1.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.20	+0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	0.67	+1.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.86	1.88	+7.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFTFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the LSMSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFTFX and LSMSX, 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

	FFTFX	LSMSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	0.69	+1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	0.26	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.30	0.59	+0.71

Correlation

The correlation between FFTFX and LSMSX is 0.66, 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

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Dividend Comparison

FFTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, less than LSMSX's 3.96% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFTFX Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund	2.78%	3.65%	3.21%	2.11%	1.20%	0.83%	1.19%	1.91%	1.28%	0.71%	0.83%	0.90%
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	3.96%	3.83%	4.30%	3.37%	2.38%	2.73%	2.33%	2.55%	2.34%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFTFX drawdown since its inception was -6.52%, smaller than the maximum LSMSX drawdown of -15.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFTFX and LSMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFTFX	LSMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.52%	-15.00%	+8.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.74%	-6.21%	+4.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.49%	-15.00%	+8.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.52%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-2.32%	+1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.57%	-2.88%	+2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.43%	2.22%	-1.79%

Volatility

FFTFX vs. LSMSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Federal Limited-Term Tax-Free Income Fund (FFTFX) is 0.49%, while Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) has a volatility of 1.16%. This indicates that FFTFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LSMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FFTFX	LSMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	1.16%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.92%	1.63%	-0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06%	5.77%	-3.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.78%	4.45%	-2.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.84%	4.52%	-2.68%