IBMO vs. ZTAX
IBMO (iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Muni Bond ETF) and ZTAX (X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. IBMO is passively managed, while ZTAX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBMO returned 2.79%/yr vs 4.78%/yr for ZTAX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. IBMO charges 0.18%/yr vs 1.14%/yr for ZTAX.
Performance
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBMO achieves a 1.01% return, which is significantly lower than ZTAX's 3.16% return.
IBMO
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.17%
- YTD
- 1.01%
- 6M
- 1.02%
- 1Y
- 2.58%
- 3Y*
- 2.79%
- 5Y*
- 0.70%
- 10Y*
- —
ZTAX
- 1D
- 1.76%
- 1M
- 2.70%
- YTD
- 3.16%
- 6M
- 4.79%
- 1Y
- 8.93%
- 3Y*
- 4.78%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IBMO iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Muni Bond ETF | 1.01% | 3.11% | 1.97% | 2.76% |
ZTAX X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF | 3.16% | -1.02% | 7.98% | 3.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBMO and ZTAX 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 | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2023 | -0.01 |
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Return for Risk
IBMO vs. ZTAX — Risk / Return Rank
IBMO
ZTAX
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMO) and X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX). 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.
| IBMO | ZTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.11 | +0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.84 | 0.82 | +6.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.33 | 2.00 | +18.33 |
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Drawdowns
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBMO drawdown since its inception was -14.77%, roughly equal to the maximum ZTAX drawdown of -15.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBMO and ZTAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBMO | ZTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.77% | -15.33% | +0.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.38% | -10.99% | +10.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.76% | -15.33% | +13.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.86% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.01% | -9.42% | +9.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.31% | -6.81% | +4.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.13% | 4.48% | -4.35% |
Volatility
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMO) is 0.22%, while X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) has a volatility of 19.58%. This indicates that IBMO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBMO | ZTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.22% | 19.58% | -19.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.79% | 28.53% | -27.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.10% | 32.37% | -31.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.14% | 28.92% | -26.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.50% | 28.92% | -24.42% |
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBMO has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than ZTAX's 1.14% expense ratio.
Dividends
IBMO vs. ZTAX - Dividend Comparison
IBMO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, less than ZTAX's 4.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBMO iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Muni Bond ETF | 2.39% | 2.37% | 2.15% | 1.65% | 0.89% | 0.62% | 1.03% | 1.01% |
ZTAX X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF | 4.43% | 4.58% | 4.55% | 2.14% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBMO and ZTAX 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.
ZTAX has higher volatility (19.58%) compared to IBMO (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBMO dropped -14.77% vs ZTAX's -15.33%.
On 3-year performance, ZTAX leads with 4.78% vs 2.79% for IBMO. On fees, IBMO is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IBMO has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, ZTAX has performed better with a 4.78% return vs 2.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBMO is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for ZTAX.
ZTAX has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 2.39% for IBMO.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and X-Square. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IBMO and 1.14% for ZTAX.
IBMO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.28), 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.
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