HYMAX vs. VWAHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

HYMAX (Lord Abbett High Income Municipal Bond Fund) and VWAHX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, HYMAX returned 2.82%/yr vs 2.99%/yr for VWAHX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYMAX charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VWAHX.

Performance

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lord Abbett High Income Municipal Bond Fund (HYMAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HYMAX achieves a 3.12% return, which is significantly higher than VWAHX's 2.49% return. Over the past 10 years, HYMAX has underperformed VWAHX with an annualized return of 2.82%, while VWAHX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.99% annualized return.

HYMAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.11%
• YTD: 3.12%
• 6M: 3.74%
• 1Y: 7.28%
• 3Y*: 5.20%
• 5Y*: 0.10%
• 10Y*: 2.82%

VWAHX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.06%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 6M: 2.93%
• 1Y: 8.45%
• 3Y*: 5.43%
• 5Y*: 1.53%
• 10Y*: 2.99%

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

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYMAX Lord Abbett High Income Municipal Bond Fund	3.12%	2.94%	5.89%	6.85%	-17.27%	6.11%	3.50%	11.83%	3.82%	7.39%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	2.49%	4.96%	3.98%	8.39%	-11.76%	3.36%	5.39%	9.48%	1.31%	7.86%

Correlation

The correlation between HYMAX and VWAHX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2004	0.76

The correlation between HYMAX and VWAHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HYMAX vs. VWAHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYMAX

HYMAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
HYMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
HYMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
HYMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
HYMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
HYMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VWAHX

VWAHX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VWAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VWAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VWAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VWAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VWAHX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lord Abbett High Income Municipal Bond Fund (HYMAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). 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.

	HYMAX	VWAHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.63	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	4.26	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.68	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	2.78	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.55	10.11	-2.55

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYMAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the VWAHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYMAX and VWAHX, 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

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYMAX drawdown since its inception was -39.42%, roughly equal to the maximum VWAHX drawdown of -40.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYMAX and VWAHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYMAX	VWAHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.42%	-40.26%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.78%	-3.05%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.51%	-7.12%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.85%	-17.32%	-5.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.85%	-17.32%	-5.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	0.00%	-0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.15%	-6.92%	+0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.84%	+0.13%

Volatility

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Volatility Comparison

Lord Abbett High Income Municipal Bond Fund (HYMAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) have volatilities of 0.90% and 0.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HYMAX	VWAHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	0.88%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.56%	2.38%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55%	3.22%	+0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.16%	4.80%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.29%	4.63%	+0.66%

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYMAX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VWAHX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYMAX vs. VWAHX - Dividend Comparison

HYMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, more than VWAHX's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYMAX Lord Abbett High Income Municipal Bond Fund	4.78%	5.58%	4.04%	3.81%	2.88%	2.78%	3.46%	4.11%	4.01%	4.08%	4.55%	4.64%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	4.04%	4.95%	4.38%	3.53%	3.36%	2.98%	3.31%	3.94%	3.78%	3.68%	3.75%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYMAX and VWAHX in my portfolio?

HYMAX and VWAHX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYMAX or VWAHX?

HYMAX has higher volatility (0.90%) compared to VWAHX (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYMAX dropped -39.42% vs VWAHX's -40.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWAHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.06), 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.