HULAX vs. UTAHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

HULAX (Hawaiian Tax Free Trust) and UTAHX (Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Aquila. Over the past 10 years, HULAX returned 0.97%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for UTAHX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HULAX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for UTAHX.

Performance

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hawaiian Tax Free Trust (HULAX) and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (UTAHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HULAX achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly lower than UTAHX's 1.92% return. Over the past 10 years, HULAX has underperformed UTAHX with an annualized return of 0.97%, while UTAHX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.50% annualized return.

HULAX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 5.78%
• 3Y*: 2.52%
• 5Y*: 0.22%
• 10Y*: 0.97%

UTAHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.24%
• YTD: 1.92%
• 6M: 2.34%
• 1Y: 7.00%
• 3Y*: 3.31%
• 5Y*: 0.54%
• 10Y*: 1.50%

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

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HULAX Hawaiian Tax Free Trust	1.27%	3.80%	0.62%	3.03%	-7.03%	-0.27%	3.54%	4.89%	0.61%	2.55%
UTAHX Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah	1.92%	4.73%	0.46%	3.87%	-7.91%	0.21%	4.09%	6.24%	0.79%	4.27%

Correlation

The correlation between HULAX and UTAHX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 1992	0.87

The correlation between HULAX and UTAHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HULAX vs. UTAHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HULAX

HULAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
HULAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
HULAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
HULAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
HULAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
HULAX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

UTAHX

UTAHX Risk / Return Rank: 77
UTAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
UTAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
UTAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
UTAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
UTAHX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hawaiian Tax Free Trust (HULAX) and Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (UTAHX). 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.

	HULAX	UTAHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	3.01	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	4.87	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.78	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.68	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.27	9.42	-1.15

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HULAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the UTAHX Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HULAX and UTAHX, 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

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HULAX drawdown since its inception was -12.97%, smaller than the maximum UTAHX drawdown of -13.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HULAX and UTAHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HULAX	UTAHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-13.94%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.42%	-2.64%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.64%	-4.61%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.27%	-12.26%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.30%	-12.26%	+0.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.42%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.90%	-1.93%	+0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.70%	0.75%	-0.05%

Volatility

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hawaiian Tax Free Trust (HULAX) is 0.64%, while Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (UTAHX) has a volatility of 0.68%. This indicates that HULAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTAHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HULAX	UTAHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	0.68%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.80%	1.82%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32%	2.35%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.89%	3.18%	-0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.91%	3.29%	-0.38%

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HULAX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is lower than UTAHX's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

HULAX vs. UTAHX - Dividend Comparison

HULAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than UTAHX's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HULAX Hawaiian Tax Free Trust	2.73%	2.55%	1.66%	1.72%	1.23%	1.40%	1.90%	2.19%	2.03%	2.00%	2.07%	2.29%
UTAHX Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah	3.59%	3.52%	2.44%	2.00%	1.59%	1.63%	2.02%	2.75%	2.52%	2.62%	2.69%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HULAX and UTAHX in my portfolio?

HULAX and UTAHX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HULAX or UTAHX?

UTAHX has higher volatility (0.68%) compared to HULAX (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HULAX dropped -12.97% vs UTAHX's -13.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UTAHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 2.51), 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.