SCTAX vs. LSMSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCTAX (Allspring California Tax-Free Fund) and LSMSX (Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, SCTAX returned 0.82%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for LSMSX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCTAX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LSMSX.

Performance

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring California Tax-Free Fund (SCTAX) and Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCTAX achieves a 1.52% return, which is significantly lower than LSMSX's 2.18% return.

SCTAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 7.25%
• 3Y*: 4.47%
• 5Y*: 0.82%
• 10Y*: 1.79%

LSMSX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.48%
• 1Y: 8.53%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 1.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCTAX Allspring California Tax-Free Fund	1.52%	5.40%	2.73%	5.17%	-10.48%	1.42%	4.10%	7.25%	0.54%	4.77%
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	2.18%	3.22%	2.22%	7.96%	-10.03%	4.11%	4.48%	8.16%	0.46%	4.92%

Correlation

The correlation between SCTAX and LSMSX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.81

The correlation between SCTAX and LSMSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCTAX vs. LSMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCTAX

SCTAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SCTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SCTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SCTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SCTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

LSMSX

LSMSX Risk / Return Rank: 77
LSMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
LSMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
LSMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
LSMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
LSMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring California Tax-Free Fund (SCTAX) and Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX). 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.

	SCTAX	LSMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	2.95	-0.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.17	4.61	-0.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.72	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	2.99	-0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.97	10.07	-0.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the LSMSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCTAX and LSMSX, 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

	SCTAX	LSMSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	2.95	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.27	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.63	+0.20

Drawdowns

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCTAX drawdown since its inception was -14.93%, roughly equal to the maximum LSMSX drawdown of -15.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCTAX and LSMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCTAX	LSMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.93%	-15.00%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.56%	-2.82%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.40%	-7.49%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.84%	-15.00%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.23%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.21%	-2.85%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	0.84%	-0.12%

Volatility

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring California Tax-Free Fund (SCTAX) is 0.98%, while Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) has a volatility of 1.22%. This indicates that SCTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LSMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCTAX	LSMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	1.22%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.90%	2.07%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79%	2.88%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.23%	4.49%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.12%	4.51%	-0.39%

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCTAX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than LSMSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCTAX vs. LSMSX - Dividend Comparison

SCTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, more than LSMSX's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	3.86%	3.83%	4.30%	3.37%	2.38%	2.73%	2.33%	2.55%	2.34%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%
SCTAX Allspring California Tax-Free Fund	3.93%	6.54%	3.83%	2.90%	2.72%	2.33%	2.74%	3.31%	3.27%	3.03%	3.03%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCTAX and LSMSX in my portfolio?

SCTAX and LSMSX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCTAX or LSMSX?

LSMSX has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to SCTAX (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCTAX dropped -14.93% vs LSMSX's -15.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LSMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 2.59), 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.