LTMFX vs. LTCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LTMFX (Thornburg Limited Term Municipal Fund) and LTCAX (Thornburg California Limited Term Municipal Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Thornburg. Over the past 10 years, LTMFX returned 1.45%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for LTCAX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LTMFX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for LTCAX.

Performance

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thornburg Limited Term Municipal Fund (LTMFX) and Thornburg California Limited Term Municipal Fund (LTCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTMFX achieves a 0.82% return, which is significantly higher than LTCAX's 0.69% return. Over the past 10 years, LTMFX has outperformed LTCAX with an annualized return of 1.45%, while LTCAX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.24% annualized return.

LTMFX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 1.01%
• 1Y: 4.35%
• 3Y*: 3.80%
• 5Y*: 1.28%
• 10Y*: 1.45%

LTCAX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 0.69%
• 6M: 0.93%
• 1Y: 4.73%
• 3Y*: 3.71%
• 5Y*: 1.35%
• 10Y*: 1.24%

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

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTMFX Thornburg Limited Term Municipal Fund	0.82%	5.74%	1.84%	3.83%	-5.27%	-0.18%	2.97%	3.81%	1.00%	2.29%
LTCAX Thornburg California Limited Term Municipal Fund	0.69%	5.72%	1.84%	3.72%	-4.60%	-0.41%	1.92%	3.32%	0.62%	2.05%

Correlation

The correlation between LTMFX and LTCAX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 1987	0.77

The correlation between LTMFX and LTCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LTMFX vs. LTCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTMFX

LTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 68
LTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
LTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
LTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
LTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
LTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

LTCAX

LTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
LTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
LTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
LTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
LTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
LTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Thornburg Limited Term Municipal Fund (LTMFX) and Thornburg California Limited Term Municipal Fund (LTCAX). 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.

	LTMFX	LTCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	2.77	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.64	4.68	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.88	1.79	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	2.15	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.01	6.60	+0.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTMFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is comparable to the LTCAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTMFX and LTCAX, 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

	LTMFX	LTCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75	2.77	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.57	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.54	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.77	+0.08

Drawdowns

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTMFX drawdown since its inception was -8.40%, which is greater than LTCAX's maximum drawdown of -7.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTMFX and LTCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTMFX	LTCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-7.38%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.96%	-2.21%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.95%	-3.33%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.40%	-7.32%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.40%	-7.38%	-1.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.87%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.64%	-1.38%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.62%	0.72%	-0.10%

Volatility

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Thornburg Limited Term Municipal Fund (LTMFX) is 0.63%, while Thornburg California Limited Term Municipal Fund (LTCAX) has a volatility of 0.67%. This indicates that LTMFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTMFX	LTCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	0.67%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.28%	1.42%	-0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59%	1.71%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.35%	2.39%	-0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.27%	2.29%	-0.02%

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTMFX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is lower than LTCAX's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTMFX vs. LTCAX - Dividend Comparison

LTMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.23%, more than LTCAX's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTCAX Thornburg California Limited Term Municipal Fund	2.98%	3.96%	3.38%	1.99%	1.43%	1.13%	1.24%	1.65%	1.64%	1.37%	1.30%	1.36%
LTMFX Thornburg Limited Term Municipal Fund	3.23%	4.28%	3.60%	2.11%	1.62%	1.27%	1.54%	1.78%	1.83%	1.64%	1.57%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTMFX and LTCAX in my portfolio?

LTMFX and LTCAX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LTMFX or LTCAX?

LTCAX has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to LTMFX (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTMFX dropped -8.40% vs LTCAX's -7.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.75), 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.