FQTHX vs. RTHAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FQTHX (Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series H) and RTHAX (Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 5 years, FQTHX returned 2.56%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for RTHAX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FQTHX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for RTHAX.

Performance

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series H (FQTHX) and Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund (RTHAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FQTHX achieves a 3.32% return, which is significantly higher than RTHAX's 2.98% return.

FQTHX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 2.40%
• YTD: 3.32%
• 6M: 3.93%
• 1Y: 9.53%
• 3Y*: 7.75%
• 5Y*: 2.56%
• 10Y*: —

RTHAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: 6.87%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: 0.60%
• 10Y*: 2.84%

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

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FQTHX Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series H	3.32%	5.94%	8.76%	8.88%	-14.00%	6.04%	4.90%	1.65%
RTHAX Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund	2.98%	2.11%	4.49%	7.78%	-13.62%	5.54%	3.84%	3.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FQTHX and RTHAX is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2019	0.79

The correlation between FQTHX and RTHAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FQTHX vs. RTHAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FQTHX

FQTHX Risk / Return Rank: 77
FQTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FQTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FQTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
FQTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
FQTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

RTHAX

RTHAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
RTHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
RTHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
RTHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
RTHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
RTHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series H (FQTHX) and Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund (RTHAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FQTHX	RTHAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.39	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.20	3.57	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.62	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	2.51	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.11	8.25	+1.86

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FQTHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the RTHAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FQTHX and RTHAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FQTHX drawdown since its inception was -18.96%, roughly equal to the maximum RTHAX drawdown of -18.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FQTHX and RTHAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FQTHX	RTHAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.96%	-18.89%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.30%	-2.74%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.78%	-7.56%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.96%	-18.89%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-3.71%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	0.83%	+0.12%

Volatility

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series H (FQTHX) has a higher volatility of 1.01% compared to Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund (RTHAX) at 0.74%. This indicates that FQTHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RTHAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FQTHX	RTHAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.01%	0.74%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.76%	2.07%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.75%	2.88%	+0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.36%	5.12%	+0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.06%	4.98%	+1.08%

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FQTHX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than RTHAX's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

FQTHX vs. RTHAX - Dividend Comparison

FQTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.05%, more than RTHAX's 4.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FQTHX Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series H	5.05%	6.76%	5.86%	3.67%	3.82%	3.03%	3.05%	1.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RTHAX Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund	4.20%	3.60%	4.02%	3.97%	3.64%	2.80%	3.10%	3.83%	3.86%	3.44%	4.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FQTHX and RTHAX in my portfolio?

FQTHX and RTHAX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FQTHX or RTHAX?

FQTHX has higher volatility (1.01%) compared to RTHAX (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FQTHX dropped -18.96% vs RTHAX's -18.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FQTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.39), 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.