MUNI vs. TAXT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MUNI (PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF) and TAXT (Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. MUNI is actively managed, while TAXT is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MUNI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXT.

Performance

MUNI vs. TAXT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF (MUNI) and Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MUNI achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly lower than TAXT's 1.55% return.

MUNI

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 6.54%
• 3Y*: 3.97%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: 2.17%

TAXT

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 6M: 2.18%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MUNI vs. TAXT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MUNI PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF	1.28%	3.56%
TAXT Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.55%	3.96%

Correlation

The correlation between MUNI and TAXT is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.81

Return for Risk

MUNI vs. TAXT — Risk / Return Rank

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

MUNI

MUNI Risk / Return Rank: 76
MUNI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
MUNI Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
MUNI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
MUNI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
MUNI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

MUNI vs. TAXT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF (MUNI) and Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXT). 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.

	MUNI	TAXT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.35	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.33	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MUNI	TAXT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	2.84	-2.05

Drawdowns

MUNI vs. TAXT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MUNI drawdown since its inception was -11.15%, which is greater than TAXT's maximum drawdown of -2.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUNI and TAXT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MUNI	TAXT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.15%	-2.49%	-8.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.09%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.15%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.52%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.73%	-0.47%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.69%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MUNI	TAXT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.61%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27%	2.54%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.31%	2.54%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.85%	2.54%	+1.31%

MUNI vs. TAXT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MUNI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXT's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

MUNI vs. TAXT - Dividend Comparison

MUNI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, more than TAXT's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MUNI PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF	3.28%	3.26%	3.50%	3.09%	2.13%	1.62%	1.92%	2.44%	2.38%	2.37%	2.37%	2.20%
TAXT Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.54%	1.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MUNI and TAXT in my portfolio?

MUNI and TAXT have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MUNI or TAXT?

On fees, TAXT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MUNI or TAXT?

TAXT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for MUNI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MUNI or TAXT?

MUNI has the higher dividend yield at 3.28%, compared with 2.54% for TAXT.

What is the main difference between MUNI and TAXT?

They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for MUNI and 0.05% for TAXT.