MLN vs. TAXS
MLN (VanEck Long Muni ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - MLN tracks the Bloomberg AMT-Free Long Continuous while TAXS tracks the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MLN charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.
Performance
MLN vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLN achieves a 2.53% return, which is significantly higher than TAXS's 1.03% return.
MLN
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 2.41%
- YTD
- 2.53%
- 6M
- 2.00%
- 1Y
- 8.68%
- 3Y*
- 3.45%
- 5Y*
- -0.94%
- 10Y*
- 1.37%
TAXS
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.62%
- YTD
- 1.03%
- 6M
- 1.18%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MLN vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
MLN VanEck Long Muni ETF | 2.53% | 6.23% |
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.03% | 1.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLN and TAXS is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2025 | 0.54 |
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Return for Risk
MLN vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank
MLN
TAXS
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
MLN vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long Muni ETF (MLN) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). 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.
| MLN | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.41 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.19 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
MLN vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLN drawdown since its inception was -28.36%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLN and TAXS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLN | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.36% | -0.84% | -27.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.56% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.84% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.46% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.46% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.02% | -0.04% | -5.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.73% | -0.22% | -5.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.78% | — | — |
Volatility
MLN vs. TAXS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| MLN | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.29% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.24% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.42% | 0.99% | +3.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.32% | 0.99% | +6.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.88% | 0.99% | +7.89% |
MLN vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLN has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
MLN vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison
MLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%, more than TAXS's 1.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLN VanEck Long Muni ETF | 3.69% | 3.73% | 3.59% | 3.19% | 2.67% | 2.52% | 2.69% | 2.98% | 3.09% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 3.38% |
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.82% | 0.74% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MLN and TAXS have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, TAXS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for MLN.
MLN has the higher dividend yield at 3.69%, compared with 1.82% for TAXS.
MLN tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Long Continuous, while TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for MLN and 0.05% for TAXS.
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