LTEBX vs. VTEAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LTEBX (American Funds Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund) and VTEAX (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, LTEBX returned 1.80%/yr vs 2.11%/yr for VTEAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LTEBX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTEAX.

Performance

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (LTEBX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTEBX achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly lower than VTEAX's 1.25% return. Over the past 10 years, LTEBX has underperformed VTEAX with an annualized return of 1.80%, while VTEAX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.11% annualized return.

LTEBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 4.99%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: 1.37%
• 10Y*: 1.80%

VTEAX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 1.69%
• 1Y: 6.80%
• 3Y*: 3.55%
• 5Y*: 0.94%
• 10Y*: 2.11%

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

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTEBX American Funds Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund	0.80%	6.02%	1.97%	3.82%	-5.12%	-0.01%	4.01%	4.67%	1.08%	2.95%
VTEAX Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.25%	3.67%	1.63%	6.39%	-8.21%	1.43%	4.97%	7.45%	0.99%	4.94%

Correlation

The correlation between LTEBX and VTEAX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2015	0.82

The correlation between LTEBX and VTEAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LTEBX vs. VTEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTEBX

LTEBX Risk / Return Rank: 66
LTEBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
LTEBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
LTEBX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
LTEBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
LTEBX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

VTEAX

VTEAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VTEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VTEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VTEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VTEAX 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.

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (LTEBX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX). 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.

	LTEBX	VTEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	2.78	-0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.32	4.10	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	1.69	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.45	-0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.89	8.55	-1.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTEBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the VTEAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTEBX and VTEAX, 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

	LTEBX	VTEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	2.78	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.26	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.58	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.47	0.69	+0.78

Drawdowns

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTEBX drawdown since its inception was -8.33%, smaller than the maximum VTEAX drawdown of -12.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTEBX and VTEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTEBX	VTEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.33%	-12.75%	+4.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.33%	-2.65%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.91%	-5.46%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.33%	-12.75%	+4.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.33%	-12.75%	+4.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-0.75%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.06%	-2.26%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	0.76%	-0.01%

Volatility

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (LTEBX) is 0.70%, while Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX) has a volatility of 0.97%. This indicates that LTEBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTEBX	VTEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	0.97%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.48%	1.84%	-0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81%	2.38%	-0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.32%	3.61%	-1.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.34%	3.67%	-1.33%

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTEBX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTEBX vs. VTEAX - Dividend Comparison

LTEBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than VTEAX's 3.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTEBX American Funds Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund	2.59%	3.39%	2.34%	1.74%	0.87%	1.24%	1.92%	2.19%	2.04%	2.21%	1.92%	2.34%
VTEAX Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.32%	3.26%	3.36%	2.98%	2.05%	1.60%	1.97%	2.27%	2.24%	1.95%	1.67%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTEBX and VTEAX in my portfolio?

LTEBX and VTEAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LTEBX or VTEAX?

VTEAX has higher volatility (0.97%) compared to LTEBX (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTEBX dropped -8.33% vs VTEAX's -12.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.74), 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.