SMB vs. TAXT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SMB (VanEck Short Muni ETF) and TAXT (Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - SMB tracks the Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous while TAXT tracks the ICE Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXT.

Performance

SMB vs. TAXT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMB achieves a 0.76% return, which is significantly lower than TAXT's 1.45% return.

SMB

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 6M: 0.76%
• 1Y: 3.53%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: 1.24%
• 10Y*: 1.48%

TAXT

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.56%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMB vs. TAXT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	0.76%	1.59%
TAXT Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.45%	3.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SMB and TAXT is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2025	0.55

Return for Risk

SMB vs. TAXT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMB

SMB Risk / Return Rank: 69
SMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SMB Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SMB Martin Ratio Rank: 52

TAXT

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. TAXT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) and Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXT). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SMB	TAXT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.52	—	—

Drawdowns

SMB vs. TAXT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMB drawdown since its inception was -12.64%, which is greater than TAXT's maximum drawdown of -2.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMB and TAXT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMB	TAXT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.64%	-2.49%	-10.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.62%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.14%	-0.48%	-0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.42%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SMB	TAXT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.29%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.16%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63%	2.53%	-0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.48%	2.53%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.26%	2.53%	+1.73%

SMB vs. TAXT - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXT's 0.05% expense ratio. However, 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. TAXT - Dividend Comparison

SMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than TAXT's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
TAXT Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.55%	1.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMB and TAXT in my portfolio?

SMB and TAXT have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SMB or TAXT?

On fees, TAXT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMB or TAXT?

TAXT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for SMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMB or TAXT?

SMB has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 2.55% for TAXT.

What is the main difference between SMB and TAXT?

SMB tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous, while TAXT tracks ICE Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SMB and 0.05% for TAXT.