HICOX vs. VTEB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HICOX (Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund) and VTEB (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, HICOX returned 4.13%/yr vs 1.97%/yr for VTEB. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HICOX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTEB.

Performance

HICOX vs. VTEB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund (HICOX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HICOX achieves a 2.68% return, which is significantly higher than VTEB's 1.70% return. Over the past 10 years, HICOX has outperformed VTEB with an annualized return of 4.13%, while VTEB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.97% annualized return.

HICOX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.33%
• YTD: 2.68%
• 6M: 2.80%
• 1Y: 6.68%
• 3Y*: 6.02%
• 5Y*: 3.11%
• 10Y*: 4.13%

VTEB

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 1.70%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 6.65%
• 3Y*: 3.38%
• 5Y*: 0.95%
• 10Y*: 1.97%

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

HICOX vs. VTEB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HICOX Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund	2.68%	4.36%	8.64%	5.10%	-6.14%	4.44%	4.69%	6.42%	4.64%	5.63%
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.70%	3.72%	1.31%	6.15%	-7.99%	1.14%	5.19%	7.35%	1.04%	4.87%

Correlation

The correlation between HICOX and VTEB is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2015	0.51

The correlation between HICOX and VTEB shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.61 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HICOX vs. VTEB — Risk / Return Rank

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

HICOX

HICOX Risk / Return Rank: 97
HICOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
HICOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
HICOX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
HICOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
HICOX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

VTEB

VTEB Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VTEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VTEB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VTEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VTEB Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

HICOX vs. VTEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund (HICOX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB). 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.

	HICOX	VTEB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.18	2.49	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.83	3.69	+2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.00	1.54	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.39	2.47	+3.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.44	8.69	+15.75

HICOX vs. VTEB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HICOX Sharpe Ratio is 3.18, which is comparable to the VTEB Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HICOX and VTEB, 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

HICOX vs. VTEB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HICOX drawdown since its inception was -11.00%, smaller than the maximum VTEB drawdown of -17.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HICOX and VTEB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HICOX	VTEB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.00%	-17.00%	+6.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.10%	-2.71%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.45%	-5.53%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.66%	-12.64%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.66%	-17.00%	+7.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.56%	-2.32%	-0.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.77%	-0.49%

Volatility

HICOX vs. VTEB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund (HICOX) is 0.62%, while Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) has a volatility of 0.72%. This indicates that HICOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HICOX	VTEB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	0.72%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.64%	2.06%	-0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21%	2.68%	-0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.55%	3.90%	-0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.09%	5.25%	-2.16%

HICOX vs. VTEB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HICOX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEB's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

HICOX vs. VTEB - Dividend Comparison

HICOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.29%, more than VTEB's 3.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HICOX Colorado Bond Shares A Tax Exempt Fund	4.29%	3.98%	6.34%	2.53%	2.85%	3.60%	3.64%	4.11%	4.54%	4.56%	5.49%	4.32%
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.35%	3.29%	3.14%	2.79%	2.09%	1.64%	1.99%	2.30%	2.25%	1.96%	1.66%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HICOX and VTEB in my portfolio?

HICOX and VTEB have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HICOX or VTEB?

VTEB has higher volatility (0.72%) compared to HICOX (0.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HICOX dropped -11.00% vs VTEB's -17.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HICOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 2.49), 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.