FHIGX vs. VTEAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FHIGX (Fidelity Municipal Income Fund) and VTEAX (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FHIGX returned 2.29%/yr vs 2.13%/yr for VTEAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FHIGX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTEAX.

Performance

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Municipal Income Fund (FHIGX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FHIGX having a 1.46% return and VTEAX slightly lower at 1.45%. Over the past 10 years, FHIGX has outperformed VTEAX with an annualized return of 2.29%, while VTEAX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.13% annualized return.

FHIGX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.82%
• 1Y: 7.61%
• 3Y*: 4.33%
• 5Y*: 0.89%
• 10Y*: 2.29%

VTEAX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.84%
• 1Y: 7.07%
• 3Y*: 3.62%
• 5Y*: 0.97%
• 10Y*: 2.13%

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

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FHIGX Fidelity Municipal Income Fund	1.46%	5.37%	1.68%	7.14%	-10.98%	2.43%	4.42%	8.51%	0.81%	6.69%
VTEAX Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	3.67%	1.63%	6.39%	-8.21%	1.43%	4.97%	7.45%	0.99%	4.94%

Correlation

The correlation between FHIGX and VTEAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2015	0.88

The correlation between FHIGX and VTEAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FHIGX vs. VTEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FHIGX

FHIGX Risk / Return Rank: 67
FHIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FHIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FHIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
FHIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
FHIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VTEAX

VTEAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VTEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VTEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VTEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VTEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Municipal Income Fund (FHIGX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX). 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.

	FHIGX	VTEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	2.97	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.14	4.39	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.75	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	2.66	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.03	9.24	-1.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FHIGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is comparable to the VTEAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FHIGX and VTEAX, 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

	FHIGX	VTEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	2.97	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.27	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.58	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.70	+0.18

Drawdowns

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FHIGX drawdown since its inception was -32.80%, which is greater than VTEAX's maximum drawdown of -12.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FHIGX and VTEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FHIGX	VTEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.80%	-12.75%	-20.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.27%	-2.65%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.05%	-5.46%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.18%	-12.75%	-3.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.18%	-12.75%	-3.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-0.55%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.54%	-2.26%	-2.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	0.76%	+0.19%

Volatility

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Municipal Income Fund (FHIGX) has a higher volatility of 1.13% compared to Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX) at 0.99%. This indicates that FHIGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FHIGX	VTEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	0.99%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.18%	1.85%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.84%	2.38%	+0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.16%	3.61%	+0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.25%	3.67%	+0.58%

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FHIGX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FHIGX vs. VTEAX - Dividend Comparison

FHIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.08%, less than VTEAX's 3.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FHIGX Fidelity Municipal Income Fund	3.08%	4.00%	2.98%	2.83%	1.81%	2.64%	2.79%	3.16%	3.66%	4.45%	4.88%	3.65%
VTEAX Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.32%	3.26%	3.36%	2.98%	2.05%	1.60%	1.97%	2.27%	2.24%	1.95%	1.67%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FHIGX and VTEAX in my portfolio?

FHIGX and VTEAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FHIGX or VTEAX?

FHIGX has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to VTEAX (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FHIGX dropped -32.80% vs VTEAX's -12.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.71), 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.