SUB vs. TAXS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SUB (iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - SUB tracks the ICE Short Maturity AMT-Free US National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross while TAXS tracks the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SUB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.

Performance

SUB vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUB achieves a 0.83% return, which is significantly lower than TAXS's 0.99% return.

SUB

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 3.15%
• 3Y*: 3.18%
• 5Y*: 1.47%
• 10Y*: 1.50%

TAXS

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 1.39%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SUB vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SUB iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF	0.83%	0.89%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.99%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SUB and TAXS is 0.61, 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 20, 2025	0.61

Return for Risk

SUB vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUB

SUB Risk / Return Rank: 84
SUB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SUB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SUB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SUB Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
SUB Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

SUB vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF (SUB) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). 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.

	SUB	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.17	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.59	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.93	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.13	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SUB	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.17	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	2.85	-2.42

Drawdowns

SUB vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUB drawdown since its inception was -9.46%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUB and TAXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUB	TAXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.46%	-0.84%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.03%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.92%	-0.24%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SUB	TAXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.28%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.79%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00%	1.00%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.64%	1.00%	+0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.59%	1.00%	+1.59%

SUB vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXS'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

SUB vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison

SUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, more than TAXS's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SUB iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF	2.52%	2.42%	2.10%	1.73%	0.86%	0.72%	1.23%	1.58%	1.32%	0.95%	0.75%	0.77%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.82%	0.74%	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 SUB and TAXS in my portfolio?

SUB and TAXS have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SUB or TAXS?

On fees, TAXS 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, SUB or TAXS?

TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for SUB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SUB or TAXS?

SUB has the higher dividend yield at 2.52%, compared with 1.82% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between SUB and TAXS?

SUB tracks ICE Short Maturity AMT-Free US National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SUB and 0.05% for TAXS.