FTTMX vs. DMREX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FTTMX (Franklin Michigan Tax-Free Income Fund) and DMREX (DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FTTMX returned 1.81%/yr vs 2.79%/yr for DMREX. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTTMX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DMREX.

Performance

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Michigan Tax-Free Income Fund (FTTMX) and DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FTTMX having a 2.01% return and DMREX slightly higher at 2.05%. Over the past 10 years, FTTMX has underperformed DMREX with an annualized return of 1.81%, while DMREX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.79% annualized return.

FTTMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: 2.01%
• 6M: 2.41%
• 1Y: 6.91%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 0.71%
• 10Y*: 1.81%

DMREX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 2.05%
• 6M: 2.14%
• 1Y: 3.21%
• 3Y*: 3.21%
• 5Y*: 2.53%
• 10Y*: 2.79%

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

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTTMX Franklin Michigan Tax-Free Income Fund	2.01%	4.37%	2.68%	5.59%	-10.64%	1.08%	5.20%	7.75%	0.85%	3.03%
DMREX DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.05%	2.77%	3.10%	2.56%	-1.42%	6.75%	4.11%	6.64%	-0.51%	2.57%

Correlation

The correlation between FTTMX and DMREX is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.26

The correlation between FTTMX and DMREX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.26 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTTMX vs. DMREX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTTMX

FTTMX Risk / Return Rank: 73
FTTMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTTMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FTTMX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTTMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
FTTMX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

DMREX

DMREX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DMREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DMREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Michigan Tax-Free Income Fund (FTTMX) and DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX). 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.

	FTTMX	DMREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	3.26	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	5.48	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.95	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	6.34	-3.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.67	14.56	-4.89

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTTMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the DMREX Sharpe Ratio of 3.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTTMX and DMREX, 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

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTTMX drawdown since its inception was -18.79%, which is greater than DMREX's maximum drawdown of -13.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTTMX and DMREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTTMX	DMREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.79%	-13.22%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.55%	-0.51%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.23%	-2.48%	-3.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.65%	-5.33%	-10.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.65%	-13.22%	-2.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.22%	-0.87%	-1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	0.22%	+0.52%

Volatility

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Michigan Tax-Free Income Fund (FTTMX) has a higher volatility of 0.83% compared to DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX) at 0.27%. This indicates that FTTMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTTMX	DMREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.83%	0.27%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.20%	0.77%	+1.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91%	0.99%	+1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.11%	2.45%	+1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.95%	3.14%	+0.81%

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTTMX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than DMREX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTTMX vs. DMREX - Dividend Comparison

FTTMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.34%, more than DMREX's 3.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DMREX DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.25%	2.95%	3.55%	1.96%	1.16%	0.98%	1.44%	2.26%	1.54%	1.32%	1.15%	1.09%
FTTMX Franklin Michigan Tax-Free Income Fund	3.34%	4.31%	3.69%	2.78%	2.84%	2.34%	2.50%	3.24%	3.13%	2.97%	3.59%	3.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTTMX and DMREX in my portfolio?

FTTMX and DMREX have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTTMX or DMREX?

FTTMX has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to DMREX (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTTMX dropped -18.79% vs DMREX's -13.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.26 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.