PHMIX vs. VWAHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PHMIX (PIMCO High Yield Municipal Bond Fund) and VWAHX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - PHMIX is a High Yield Muni fund managed by PIMCO, while VWAHX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PHMIX returned 3.71%/yr vs 3.06%/yr for VWAHX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PHMIX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VWAHX.

Performance

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (PHMIX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PHMIX having a 2.42% return and VWAHX slightly lower at 2.30%. Over the past 10 years, PHMIX has outperformed VWAHX with an annualized return of 3.71%, while VWAHX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.06% annualized return.

PHMIX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 2.42%
• 6M: 2.59%
• 1Y: 7.80%
• 3Y*: 6.06%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 3.71%

VWAHX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 2.30%
• 6M: 2.65%
• 1Y: 8.78%
• 3Y*: 5.46%
• 5Y*: 1.57%
• 10Y*: 3.06%

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

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHMIX PIMCO High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	2.42%	5.00%	5.33%	8.97%	-13.90%	5.51%	6.21%	10.77%	2.28%	9.83%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	2.30%	4.96%	3.98%	8.39%	-11.76%	3.36%	5.39%	9.48%	1.31%	7.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PHMIX and VWAHX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2006	0.78

The correlation between PHMIX and VWAHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PHMIX vs. VWAHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHMIX

PHMIX Risk / Return Rank: 61
PHMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PHMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
PHMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PHMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PHMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

VWAHX

VWAHX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VWAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VWAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VWAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VWAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VWAHX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (PHMIX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). 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.

	PHMIX	VWAHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.72	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	4.41	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.70	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	2.89	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.13	10.50	-1.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHMIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the VWAHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHMIX and VWAHX, 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

	PHMIX	VWAHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.72	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.33	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.66	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.65	+0.23

Drawdowns

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHMIX drawdown since its inception was -35.54%, smaller than the maximum VWAHX drawdown of -40.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHMIX and VWAHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHMIX	VWAHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.54%	-40.26%	+4.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.93%	-3.05%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.50%	-7.12%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.96%	-17.32%	-1.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.96%	-17.32%	-1.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-6.93%	+1.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	0.84%	+0.02%

Volatility

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (PHMIX) has a higher volatility of 1.37% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) at 1.27%. This indicates that PHMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWAHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHMIX	VWAHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	1.27%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.57%	2.40%	+0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.48%	3.26%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	4.80%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.71%	4.64%	+0.07%

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHMIX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VWAHX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHMIX vs. VWAHX - Dividend Comparison

PHMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than VWAHX's 4.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHMIX PIMCO High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	4.57%	5.91%	5.33%	4.71%	3.39%	3.84%	3.62%	4.38%	4.41%	4.22%	4.12%	4.46%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	4.05%	4.95%	4.38%	3.53%	3.36%	2.98%	3.31%	3.94%	3.78%	3.68%	3.75%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHMIX and VWAHX in my portfolio?

PHMIX and VWAHX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHMIX or VWAHX?

PHMIX has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to VWAHX (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHMIX dropped -35.54% vs VWAHX's -40.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWAHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 2.27), 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.