MALMX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MALMX (BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - MALMX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by BlackRock, while VTMFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, MALMX returned 1.76%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for VTMFX. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MALMX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund (MALMX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MALMX achieves a 1.02% return, which is significantly lower than VTMFX's 6.03% return. Over the past 10 years, MALMX has underperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 1.76%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.70% annualized return.

MALMX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 1.02%
• 6M: 1.31%
• 1Y: 4.81%
• 3Y*: 4.70%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 1.76%

VTMFX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 6.16%
• 1Y: 16.91%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 7.33%
• 10Y*: 8.70%

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

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MALMX BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund	1.02%	6.38%	3.58%	4.21%	-2.88%	-0.11%	1.39%	2.58%	1.45%	0.86%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	6.03%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between MALMX and VTMFX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 1994	0.07

The correlation between MALMX and VTMFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.24 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MALMX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MALMX

MALMX Risk / Return Rank: 71
MALMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
MALMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
MALMX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MALMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
MALMX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund (MALMX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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.

	MALMX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	2.83	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.01	4.05	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.94	1.55	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.22	-0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.22	15.40	-7.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MALMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is comparable to the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MALMX and VTMFX, 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

	MALMX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	2.83	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.18	0.86	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.11	0.96	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	0.85	+0.74

Drawdowns

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MALMX drawdown since its inception was -5.01%, smaller than the maximum VTMFX drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MALMX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MALMX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.01%	-28.49%	+23.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.88%	-5.38%	+3.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.32%	-10.61%	+8.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.01%	-17.40%	+12.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.01%	-21.87%	+16.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	0.00%	-0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.72%	-3.55%	+2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	1.12%	-0.55%

Volatility

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund (MALMX) is 0.62%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) has a volatility of 1.70%. This indicates that MALMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MALMX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	1.70%	-1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.32%	4.75%	-3.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74%	6.13%	-4.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.00%	8.52%	-6.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.59%	9.12%	-7.53%

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MALMX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

MALMX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

MALMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, more than VTMFX's 2.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MALMX BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund	3.48%	4.62%	3.93%	2.56%	0.90%	0.58%	1.08%	1.75%	1.34%	0.86%	0.54%	0.41%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.10%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MALMX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

MALMX and VTMFX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MALMX or VTMFX?

VTMFX has higher volatility (1.70%) compared to MALMX (0.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MALMX dropped -5.01% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.72), 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.