FLMB vs. TAXI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLMB (Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF) and TAXI (Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. FLMB is actively managed, while TAXI is passively managed. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLMB charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXI.

Performance

FLMB vs. TAXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF (FLMB) and Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLMB achieves a 1.89% return, which is significantly higher than TAXI's 0.94% return.

FLMB

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 6M: 2.27%
• 1Y: 8.74%
• 3Y*: 4.38%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: —

TAXI

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.94%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FLMB vs. TAXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FLMB Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF	1.89%	5.80%
TAXI Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.94%	3.35%

Correlation

The correlation between FLMB and TAXI is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.66

Return for Risk

FLMB vs. TAXI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLMB

FLMB Risk / Return Rank: 70
FLMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FLMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FLMB Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FLMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
FLMB Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

FLMB vs. TAXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF (FLMB) and Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXI). 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.

	FLMB	TAXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.56	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FLMB	TAXI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	2.92	-2.50

Drawdowns

FLMB vs. TAXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLMB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, which is greater than TAXI's maximum drawdown of -2.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLMB and TAXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLMB	TAXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.90%	-2.23%	-15.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.33%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.79%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-0.46%	-3.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FLMB	TAXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.11%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.46%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	1.90%	+1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.11%	1.90%	+3.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.58%	1.90%	+3.68%

FLMB vs. TAXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLMB has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXI's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLMB vs. TAXI - Dividend Comparison

FLMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.75%, more than TAXI's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLMB Franklin Liberty Federal Tax-Free Bond ETF	3.75%	3.86%	3.79%	3.49%	2.80%	1.66%	2.07%	2.40%	2.68%	0.54%
TAXI Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.00%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLMB and TAXI in my portfolio?

FLMB and TAXI have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FLMB or TAXI?

On fees, TAXI is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLMB or TAXI?

TAXI is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for FLMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLMB or TAXI?

FLMB has the higher dividend yield at 3.75%, compared with 2.00% for TAXI.

What is the main difference between FLMB and TAXI?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for FLMB and 0.05% for TAXI.