IBMT vs. TAXS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBMT (iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - IBMT tracks the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2031 Index while TAXS tracks the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBMT charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.

Performance

IBMT vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMT) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBMT achieves a 0.19% return, which is significantly lower than TAXS's 0.93% return.

IBMT

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 0.19%
• 6M: 0.25%
• 1Y: 6.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TAXS

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBMT vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IBMT iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.19%	2.47%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.93%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IBMT and TAXS is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.48

Return for Risk

IBMT vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBMT

IBMT Risk / Return Rank: 60
IBMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
IBMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IBMT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
IBMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
IBMT Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

IBMT vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMT) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). 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.

	IBMT	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.13	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IBMT	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	2.78	-1.15

Drawdowns

IBMT vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBMT drawdown since its inception was -3.18%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBMT and TAXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBMT	TAXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.18%	-0.84%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-0.09%	-1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.74%	-0.24%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBMT	TAXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.06%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.11%	1.00%	+2.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.86%	1.00%	+2.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.86%	1.00%	+2.86%

IBMT vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBMT has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IBMT vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison

IBMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, more than TAXS's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
IBMT iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF	3.65%	2.98%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.83%	0.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBMT and TAXS in my portfolio?

IBMT and TAXS have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IBMT or TAXS?

On fees, TAXS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBMT or TAXS?

TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IBMT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBMT or TAXS?

IBMT has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between IBMT and TAXS?

IBMT tracks S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2031 Index, while TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IBMT and 0.05% for TAXS.