MFALX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

MFALX (MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - MFALX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by MFS, while VTMFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Composite benchmark: Russell 1000 Index and Bloomberg 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, MFALX returned 1.69%/yr vs 8.63%/yr for VTMFX. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MFALX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) 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, MFALX achieves a 2.10% return, which is significantly lower than VTMFX's 5.44% return. Over the past 10 years, MFALX has underperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 1.69%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.63% annualized return.

MFALX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 2.10%
• 6M: 2.49%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: 3.82%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 1.69%

VTMFX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 5.44%
• 6M: 5.61%
• 1Y: 15.82%
• 3Y*: 11.93%
• 5Y*: 7.23%
• 10Y*: 8.63%

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

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	2.10%	4.49%	1.31%	5.87%	-11.27%	1.87%	4.05%	7.24%	1.04%	4.49%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	5.44%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between MFALX and VTMFX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 1994	0.07

Over the past year, MFALX and VTMFX have become more correlated (0.30) than their long-term average of 0.07, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

MFALX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFALX

MFALX Risk / Return Rank: 67
MFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
MFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
MFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
MFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
MFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 79
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
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.

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) 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.

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.

	MFALX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.45	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	3.45	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.47	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.93	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.30	13.72	-5.43

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFALX 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.

Drawdowns

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFALX drawdown since its inception was -16.68%, smaller than the maximum VTMFX drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFALX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFALX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	-28.49%	+11.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.24%	-5.38%	+2.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.01%	-10.61%	+3.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.68%	-17.40%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.68%	-21.87%	+5.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.56%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.94%	-3.54%	+1.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	1.15%	-0.21%

Volatility

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) is 0.81%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) has a volatility of 2.50%. This indicates that MFALX 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

	MFALX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.81%	2.50%	-1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.42%	5.21%	-2.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23%	6.45%	-3.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.60%	8.57%	-3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.35%	9.15%	-4.80%

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFALX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFALX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

MFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than VTMFX's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	3.20%	4.22%	2.79%	2.34%	1.62%	1.57%	2.21%	2.92%	3.32%	3.39%	3.59%	3.89%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.12%	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 MFALX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

MFALX and VTMFX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFALX or VTMFX?

VTMFX has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to MFALX (0.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFALX dropped -16.68% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.41), 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.