PRFHX vs. ABHYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRFHX (T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund) and ABHYX (American Century High-Yield Municipal Fund) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, PRFHX returned 3.06%/yr vs 2.91%/yr for ABHYX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRFHX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for ABHYX.

Performance

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX) and American Century High-Yield Municipal Fund (ABHYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRFHX achieves a 2.99% return, which is significantly higher than ABHYX's 2.26% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRFHX having a 3.06% annualized return and ABHYX not far behind at 2.91%.

PRFHX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 2.99%
• 6M: 3.78%
• 1Y: 11.23%
• 3Y*: 6.47%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 3.06%

ABHYX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 2.26%
• 6M: 2.64%
• 1Y: 8.06%
• 3Y*: 5.36%
• 5Y*: 0.88%
• 10Y*: 2.91%

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

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRFHX T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund	2.99%	5.53%	7.00%	7.65%	-14.41%	6.09%	3.40%	9.03%	0.66%	7.31%
ABHYX American Century High-Yield Municipal Fund	2.26%	3.77%	6.16%	5.90%	-13.90%	5.61%	4.68%	9.72%	1.48%	9.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PRFHX and ABHYX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 1998	0.83

The correlation between PRFHX and ABHYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRFHX vs. ABHYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRFHX

PRFHX Risk / Return Rank: 91
PRFHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PRFHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PRFHX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PRFHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PRFHX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

ABHYX

ABHYX Risk / Return Rank: 63
ABHYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
ABHYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
ABHYX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
ABHYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
ABHYX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX) and American Century High-Yield Municipal Fund (ABHYX). 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.

	PRFHX	ABHYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.44	2.37	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.62	3.78	+1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.83	1.57	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.17	2.52	+1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.49	8.57	+6.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRFHX Sharpe Ratio is 3.44, which is higher than the ABHYX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRFHX and ABHYX, 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

	PRFHX	ABHYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44	2.37	+1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.18	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.59	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.29	1.05	+0.24

Drawdowns

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRFHX drawdown since its inception was -24.76%, smaller than the maximum ABHYX drawdown of -26.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRFHX and ABHYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRFHX	ABHYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.76%	-26.34%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.75%	-3.16%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.91%	-7.40%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.81%	-18.54%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.81%	-18.54%	-0.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.08%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.77%	-3.11%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	0.93%	-0.20%

Volatility

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund (PRFHX) and American Century High-Yield Municipal Fund (ABHYX) have volatilities of 1.14% and 1.20%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRFHX	ABHYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	1.20%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.37%	2.45%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.35%	3.38%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.89%	4.95%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.65%	4.99%	-0.34%

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRFHX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than ABHYX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRFHX vs. ABHYX - Dividend Comparison

PRFHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.47%, more than ABHYX's 4.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABHYX American Century High-Yield Municipal Fund	4.32%	5.11%	4.96%	4.02%	2.77%	3.50%	3.35%	4.08%	3.90%	3.61%	3.61%	3.91%
PRFHX T. Rowe Price Tax Free High Yield Fund	5.47%	5.46%	4.75%	4.19%	2.81%	3.01%	3.47%	3.52%	3.71%	3.64%	3.88%	4.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRFHX and ABHYX in my portfolio?

PRFHX and ABHYX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRFHX or ABHYX?

ABHYX has higher volatility (1.20%) compared to PRFHX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRFHX dropped -24.76% vs ABHYX's -26.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRFHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.44 vs 2.37), 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.