STAX vs. THYM

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

STAX (Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF) and THYM (T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STAX is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Macquarie, while THYM is a High Yield Muni fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. Both are actively managed. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. STAX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for THYM.

Performance

STAX vs. THYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) and T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF (THYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STAX achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly lower than THYM's 3.74% return.

STAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.07%
• 6M: 0.87%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 1Y: 3.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

THYM

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.05%
• 6M: 2.85%
• YTD: 3.74%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

STAX vs. THYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STAX Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF	1.42%	0.50%
THYM T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF	3.74%	0.25%

Correlation

The correlation between STAX and THYM is 0.56, 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 Nov 20, 2025	0.56

Return for Risk

STAX vs. THYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

STAX

STAX Risk / Return Rank: 87
STAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
STAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
STAX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
STAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
STAX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

THYM

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.

STAX vs. THYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) and T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF (THYM). 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.

	STAX	THYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.08	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.00	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	—	—

Drawdowns

STAX vs. THYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STAX drawdown since its inception was -1.42%, smaller than the maximum THYM drawdown of -2.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STAX and THYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	STAX	THYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-2.93%	+1.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.05%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.89%	+0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-0.46%	+0.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	STAX	THYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.26%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.88%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07%	4.29%	-3.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.38%	4.29%	-2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.38%	4.29%	-2.91%

STAX vs. THYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

STAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than THYM's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

STAX vs. THYM - Dividend Comparison

STAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than THYM's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
STAX Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF	3.17%	3.16%	3.43%
THYM T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF	2.57%	0.37%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STAX and THYM in my portfolio?

STAX and THYM have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, STAX or THYM?

On fees, STAX is cheaper at 0.29% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, STAX or THYM?

STAX is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for THYM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STAX or THYM?

STAX has the higher dividend yield at 3.17%, compared with 2.57% for THYM.

What is the main difference between STAX and THYM?

STAX is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while THYM is High Yield Muni. They also come from different issuers: Macquarie and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for STAX and 0.32% for THYM.