GWMEX vs. RTHAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GWMEX (AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund) and RTHAX (Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, GWMEX returned 3.50%/yr vs 2.91%/yr for RTHAX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GWMEX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for RTHAX.

Performance

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund (GWMEX) 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, GWMEX achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly lower than RTHAX's 2.46% return. Over the past 10 years, GWMEX has outperformed RTHAX with an annualized return of 3.50%, while RTHAX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.91% annualized return.

GWMEX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.24%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 8.86%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: 3.50%

RTHAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: 2.46%
• 6M: 2.56%
• 1Y: 6.99%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 0.62%
• 10Y*: 2.91%

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

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GWMEX AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund	2.18%	2.50%	2.61%	10.89%	-17.86%	15.05%	6.32%	12.51%	-0.06%	9.79%
RTHAX Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund	2.46%	2.11%	4.49%	7.78%	-13.62%	5.54%	3.84%	10.18%	3.20%	8.19%

Correlation

The correlation between GWMEX and RTHAX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.80

The correlation between GWMEX and RTHAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GWMEX vs. RTHAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GWMEX

GWMEX Risk / Return Rank: 54
GWMEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
GWMEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
GWMEX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
GWMEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
GWMEX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

RTHAX

RTHAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
RTHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
RTHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
RTHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
RTHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
RTHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund (GWMEX) 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.

	GWMEX	RTHAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.34	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	3.49	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.61	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	2.46	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.92	8.09	-0.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GWMEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the RTHAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GWMEX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GWMEX	RTHAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.34	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.12	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.59	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.67	-0.01

Drawdowns

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GWMEX drawdown since its inception was -36.30%, which is greater than RTHAX's maximum drawdown of -18.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWMEX and RTHAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GWMEX	RTHAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.30%	-18.89%	-17.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.95%	-2.74%	-1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.08%	-7.56%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.06%	-18.89%	-5.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.06%	-18.89%	-5.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	0.00%	-2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-3.73%	-1.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	0.83%	+0.28%

Volatility

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Volatility Comparison

AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund (GWMEX) has a higher volatility of 1.48% compared to Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund (RTHAX) at 1.10%. This indicates that GWMEX'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

	GWMEX	RTHAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.48%	1.10%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.95%	2.06%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.98%	2.89%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.80%	5.12%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.76%	4.98%	+1.78%

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GWMEX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than RTHAX's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

GWMEX vs. RTHAX - Dividend Comparison

GWMEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, less than RTHAX's 4.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GWMEX AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund	3.41%	3.67%	3.38%	3.10%	3.33%	13.26%	3.63%	4.59%	5.82%	2.97%	7.96%	4.77%
RTHAX Russell Investments Tax-Exempt High Yield Bond Fund	4.22%	3.60%	4.02%	3.97%	3.64%	2.80%	3.10%	3.83%	3.86%	3.44%	4.06%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GWMEX and RTHAX in my portfolio?

GWMEX and RTHAX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GWMEX or RTHAX?

GWMEX has higher volatility (1.48%) compared to RTHAX (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GWMEX dropped -36.30% vs RTHAX's -18.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RTHAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.22), 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.