SMB vs. FTABX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SMB (VanEck Short Muni ETF) and FTABX (Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, SMB returned 1.55%/yr vs 2.38%/yr for FTABX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FTABX.

Performance

SMB vs. FTABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMB achieves a 0.61% return, which is significantly lower than FTABX's 1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, SMB has underperformed FTABX with an annualized return of 1.55%, while FTABX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.38% annualized return.

SMB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 6M: 1.34%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: 3.58%
• 5Y*: 1.19%
• 10Y*: 1.55%

FTABX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 7.56%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 2.38%

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

SMB vs. FTABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	0.61%	4.61%	2.41%	3.14%	-4.50%	0.12%	3.30%	4.54%	1.86%	1.16%
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	1.61%	5.60%	1.54%	7.51%	-10.74%	2.20%	4.80%	8.58%	0.67%	6.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SMB and FTABX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2008	0.28

The correlation between SMB and FTABX shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (all time) to 0.51 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SMB vs. FTABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMB

SMB Risk / Return Rank: 71
SMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SMB Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SMB Martin Ratio Rank: 55

FTABX

FTABX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FTABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FTABX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
FTABX 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.

SMB vs. FTABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX). 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.

	SMB	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.83	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	4.46	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.71	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	2.51	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	8.63	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMB vs. FTABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMB Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the FTABX Sharpe Ratio of 2.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMB and FTABX, 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

	SMB	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.83	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.25	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.56	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	1.05	-0.63

Drawdowns

SMB vs. FTABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMB drawdown since its inception was -12.64%, smaller than the maximum FTABX drawdown of -16.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMB and FTABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMB	FTABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.64%	-16.14%	+3.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-3.11%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.80%	-5.99%	+4.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.48%	-16.14%	+8.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.64%	-16.14%	+3.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.60%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.14%	-2.12%	+0.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.90%	-0.49%

Volatility

SMB vs. FTABX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) is 0.42%, while Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX) has a volatility of 1.08%. This indicates that SMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMB	FTABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.42%	1.08%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.20%	2.12%	-0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64%	2.75%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.48%	4.16%	-1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.26%	4.29%	-0.03%

SMB vs. FTABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FTABX's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMB vs. FTABX - Dividend Comparison

SMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than FTABX's 3.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	3.21%	4.18%	2.81%	2.90%	2.16%	2.27%	2.64%	2.94%	3.01%	3.49%	4.22%	3.29%
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	2.69%	2.63%	2.38%	1.83%	1.32%	1.24%	1.50%	1.58%	1.49%	1.23%	1.12%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMB and FTABX in my portfolio?

SMB and FTABX have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMB or FTABX?

FTABX has higher volatility (1.08%) compared to SMB (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMB dropped -12.64% vs FTABX's -16.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 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.