LSMSX vs. COLTX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

LSMSX (Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund) and COLTX (Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, LSMSX returned 1.14%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for COLTX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LSMSX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for COLTX.

Performance

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (COLTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with LSMSX having a 2.43% return and COLTX slightly higher at 2.49%.

LSMSX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.91%
• YTD: 2.43%
• 6M: 2.64%
• 1Y: 8.04%
• 3Y*: 3.98%
• 5Y*: 1.14%
• 10Y*: —

COLTX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 8.37%
• 3Y*: 4.45%
• 5Y*: 0.66%
• 10Y*: 1.92%

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

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	2.43%	3.22%	2.22%	7.96%	-10.03%	4.11%	4.48%	8.16%	0.46%	4.92%
COLTX Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund	2.49%	3.86%	3.47%	6.60%	-12.56%	3.01%	3.37%	8.15%	0.19%	5.70%

Correlation

The correlation between LSMSX and COLTX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.84

The correlation between LSMSX and COLTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LSMSX vs. COLTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LSMSX

LSMSX Risk / Return Rank: 78
LSMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
LSMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
LSMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
LSMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
LSMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

COLTX

COLTX Risk / Return Rank: 71
COLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
COLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
COLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
COLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
COLTX 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.

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) and Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (COLTX). 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.

	LSMSX	COLTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.85	2.39	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.42	3.79	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.56	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	2.70	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	9.36	+0.24

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LSMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.85, which is comparable to the COLTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LSMSX and COLTX, 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

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LSMSX drawdown since its inception was -15.00%, smaller than the maximum COLTX drawdown of -18.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LSMSX and COLTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LSMSX	COLTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.00%	-18.07%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-3.11%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.49%	-8.08%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.00%	-18.07%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-2.63%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.90%	-0.06%

Volatility

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) is 0.79%, while Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (COLTX) has a volatility of 0.94%. This indicates that LSMSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COLTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LSMSX	COLTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	0.94%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.06%	2.56%	-0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83%	3.52%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.48%	5.24%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.50%	4.98%	-0.48%

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LSMSX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than COLTX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

LSMSX vs. COLTX - Dividend Comparison

LSMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, more than COLTX's 3.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COLTX Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund	3.73%	4.91%	3.66%	3.15%	3.05%	3.20%	3.27%	4.60%	3.80%	3.86%	4.15%	4.13%
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	3.84%	3.83%	4.30%	3.37%	2.38%	2.73%	2.33%	2.55%	2.34%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LSMSX and COLTX in my portfolio?

LSMSX and COLTX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LSMSX or COLTX?

COLTX has higher volatility (0.94%) compared to LSMSX (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LSMSX dropped -15.00% vs COLTX's -18.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LSMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 2.39), 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.