KTCAX vs. SCMTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KTCAX (DWS Science and Technology Fund) and SCMTX (DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund) are both mutual funds - KTCAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by DWS, while SCMTX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by DWS. Over the past 10 years, KTCAX returned 23.42%/yr vs 2.01%/yr for SCMTX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. KTCAX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for SCMTX.

Performance

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX) and DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KTCAX achieves a 29.66% return, which is significantly higher than SCMTX's 1.11% return. Over the past 10 years, KTCAX has outperformed SCMTX with an annualized return of 23.42%, while SCMTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.01% annualized return.

KTCAX

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: 16.78%
• YTD: 29.66%
• 6M: 27.50%
• 1Y: 56.01%
• 3Y*: 37.14%
• 5Y*: 20.33%
• 10Y*: 23.42%

SCMTX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 1.11%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: 6.09%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: 0.80%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

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

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KTCAX DWS Science and Technology Fund	29.66%	21.21%	40.51%	57.73%	-36.66%	22.68%	46.12%	42.35%	-1.03%	35.79%
SCMTX DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	1.11%	4.51%	1.71%	5.08%	-8.21%	1.21%	5.34%	8.27%	0.73%	3.55%

Correlation

The correlation between KTCAX and SCMTX is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1990	-0.02

The correlation between KTCAX and SCMTX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

KTCAX vs. SCMTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

KTCAX

KTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
KTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
KTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
KTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
KTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
KTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

SCMTX

SCMTX Risk / Return Rank: 64
SCMTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SCMTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SCMTX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SCMTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
SCMTX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX) and DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX). 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.

	KTCAX	SCMTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	2.73	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	4.16	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.67	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	2.09	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	6.39	+5.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KTCAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.80, which is comparable to the SCMTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KTCAX and SCMTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KTCAX	SCMTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80	2.73	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.26	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.61	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	1.49	-1.11

Drawdowns

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KTCAX drawdown since its inception was -82.20%, which is greater than SCMTX's maximum drawdown of -12.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KTCAX and SCMTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	KTCAX	SCMTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.20%	-12.59%	-69.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.60%	-2.94%	-13.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.52%	-4.64%	-20.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.37%	-12.59%	-29.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	-12.59%	-29.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.16%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.90%	-1.45%	-26.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.77%	0.96%	+3.81%

Volatility

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX) has a higher volatility of 5.85% compared to DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX) at 0.86%. This indicates that KTCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCMTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KTCAX	SCMTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.85%	0.86%	+4.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.48%	1.75%	+14.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.71%	2.25%	+18.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.99%	3.09%	+21.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.10%	3.31%	+20.79%

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

KTCAX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SCMTX's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

KTCAX vs. SCMTX - Dividend Comparison

KTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.42%, more than SCMTX's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KTCAX DWS Science and Technology Fund	6.42%	8.32%	10.15%	11.73%	6.31%	10.93%	7.36%	8.99%	14.35%	4.50%	2.32%	11.97%
SCMTX DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	2.95%	3.26%	2.90%	2.16%	1.70%	2.22%	3.65%	5.20%	2.95%	2.64%	2.56%	2.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KTCAX and SCMTX in my portfolio?

KTCAX and SCMTX have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KTCAX or SCMTX?

KTCAX has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to SCMTX (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KTCAX dropped -82.20% vs SCMTX's -12.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.73), 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.