SRHMX vs. VWALX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SRHMX (Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund) and VWALX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, SRHMX returned 2.73%/yr vs 3.07%/yr for VWALX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SRHMX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VWALX.

Performance

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund (SRHMX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SRHMX achieves a 3.38% return, which is significantly higher than VWALX's 2.52% return. Over the past 10 years, SRHMX has underperformed VWALX with an annualized return of 2.73%, while VWALX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.07% annualized return.

SRHMX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 3.38%
• 6M: 3.99%
• 1Y: 8.98%
• 3Y*: 6.27%
• 5Y*: 0.79%
• 10Y*: 2.73%

VWALX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 2.52%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 8.54%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 3.07%

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

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SRHMX Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund	3.38%	4.36%	7.72%	6.63%	-17.44%	6.57%	3.75%	9.05%	2.43%	7.05%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	2.52%	5.06%	4.08%	8.45%	-11.69%	3.42%	5.49%	9.58%	1.38%	7.96%

Correlation

The correlation between SRHMX and VWALX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.86

The correlation between SRHMX and VWALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SRHMX vs. VWALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SRHMX

SRHMX Risk / Return Rank: 83
SRHMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SRHMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SRHMX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SRHMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SRHMX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VWALX

VWALX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VWALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VWALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VWALX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VWALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VWALX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund (SRHMX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX). 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.

	SRHMX	VWALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.65	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.39	4.30	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.69	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	2.81	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	10.24	+1.82

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SRHMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the VWALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SRHMX and VWALX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SRHMX drawdown since its inception was -26.04%, which is greater than VWALX's maximum drawdown of -17.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SRHMX and VWALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SRHMX	VWALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.04%	-17.24%	-8.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.72%	-3.05%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.81%	-7.10%	-1.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.59%	-17.24%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.59%	-17.24%	-5.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.99%	-2.16%	-0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	0.84%	-0.09%

Volatility

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund (SRHMX) has a higher volatility of 0.95% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) at 0.88%. This indicates that SRHMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SRHMX	VWALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.95%	0.88%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.53%	2.39%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	3.23%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.90%	4.81%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.61%	4.64%	+0.97%

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SRHMX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VWALX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SRHMX vs. VWALX - Dividend Comparison

SRHMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than VWALX's 4.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SRHMX Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund	4.61%	5.65%	4.79%	4.30%	4.46%	3.40%	3.83%	4.55%	5.10%	4.30%	4.56%	4.55%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	4.12%	5.04%	4.47%	3.59%	3.44%	3.04%	3.40%	4.03%	3.85%	3.77%	3.86%	3.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SRHMX and VWALX in my portfolio?

SRHMX and VWALX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SRHMX or VWALX?

SRHMX has higher volatility (0.95%) compared to VWALX (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SRHMX dropped -26.04% vs VWALX's -17.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.62), 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.