SCMTX vs. DFABX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX).

SCMTX is managed by DWS. It was launched on Apr 11, 1983. DFABX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 11, 2022.

Performance

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SCMTX DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	-0.25%	4.51%	1.71%	5.08%	-1.15%
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	0.58%	2.46%	2.90%	2.87%	0.55%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCMTX achieves a -0.25% return, which is significantly lower than DFABX's 0.58% return.

SCMTX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.49%
• YTD: -0.25%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: 0.79%
• 10Y*: 1.93%

DFABX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 0.58%
• 6M: 1.12%
• 1Y: 2.73%
• 3Y*: 2.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCMTX has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than DFABX's 0.25% expense ratio.

SCMTX

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

DFABX

DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio

Return for Risk

SCMTX vs. DFABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCMTX

SCMTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
SCMTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCMTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SCMTX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SCMTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SCMTX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

DFABX

DFABX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DFABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
DFABX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX). 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.

	SCMTX	DFABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	3.90	-2.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	7.13	-5.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	3.50	-2.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	4.84	-3.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.64	26.76	-22.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCMTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the DFABX Sharpe Ratio of 3.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCMTX and DFABX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SCMTX	DFABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	3.90	-2.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.48	2.44	-0.96

Correlation

The correlation between SCMTX and DFABX is 0.42, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Dividend Comparison

SCMTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.62%, more than DFABX's 2.70% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCMTX DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	3.62%	3.26%	2.90%	2.16%	1.70%	2.22%	3.65%	5.20%	2.95%	2.64%	2.56%	2.53%
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.70%	2.33%	2.86%	2.52%	1.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCMTX drawdown since its inception was -12.59%, which is greater than DFABX's maximum drawdown of -2.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCMTX and DFABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCMTX	DFABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.59%	-2.46%	-10.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.56%	-0.50%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.59%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.49%	-0.06%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-0.25%	-1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	0.09%	+0.89%

Volatility

SCMTX vs. DFABX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (SCMTX) has a higher volatility of 1.00% compared to DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) at 0.18%. This indicates that SCMTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCMTX	DFABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	0.18%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.54%	0.40%	+1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.67%	0.71%	+2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.07%	0.97%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.30%	0.97%	+2.33%