SWNTX vs. SCMB
SWNTX (Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™) and SCMB (Schwab Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Charles Schwab. Over the past 3 years, SWNTX returned 3.39%/yr vs 3.19%/yr for SCMB. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SWNTX charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCMB.
Performance
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SWNTX achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly lower than SCMB's 1.54% return.
SWNTX
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 1.48%
- YTD
- 1.42%
- 6M
- 1.82%
- 1Y
- 6.36%
- 3Y*
- 3.39%
- 5Y*
- 0.60%
- 10Y*
- 1.64%
SCMB
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 1.63%
- YTD
- 1.54%
- 6M
- 1.78%
- 1Y
- 6.59%
- 3Y*
- 3.19%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWNTX Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ | 1.42% | 4.20% | 1.57% | 5.09% | 2.62% |
SCMB Schwab Municipal Bond ETF | 1.54% | 3.78% | 0.91% | 5.86% | 2.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between SWNTX and SCMB is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 12, 2022 | 0.70 |
The correlation between SWNTX and SCMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.70 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SWNTX vs. SCMB — Risk / Return Rank
SWNTX
SCMB
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ (SWNTX) and Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB). 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.
| SWNTX | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.69 | 1.48 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.22 | 2.27 | -0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.25 | 7.44 | -0.19 |
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Drawdowns
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SWNTX drawdown since its inception was -13.26%, which is greater than SCMB's maximum drawdown of -6.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWNTX and SCMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SWNTX | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.26% | -6.13% | -7.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.88% | -2.92% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.85% | -5.57% | +0.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.26% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.26% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.70% | -0.40% | -0.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.89% | -1.31% | -0.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.88% | 0.89% | -0.01% |
Volatility
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ (SWNTX) and Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB) have volatilities of 0.74% and 0.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SWNTX | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.74% | 0.72% | +0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.85% | 2.16% | -0.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.42% | 2.89% | -0.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.49% | 4.14% | -0.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.57% | 4.14% | -0.57% |
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SWNTX has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than SCMB's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
SWNTX vs. SCMB - Dividend Comparison
SWNTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.45%, less than SCMB's 3.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCMB Schwab Municipal Bond ETF | 3.52% | 3.36% | 3.34% | 3.10% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SWNTX Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ | 3.45% | 3.78% | 3.20% | 2.54% | 1.73% | 1.62% | 2.34% | 2.58% | 2.41% | 2.21% | 3.14% | 2.71% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SWNTX and SCMB have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SWNTX has higher volatility (0.74%) compared to SCMB (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWNTX dropped -13.26% vs SCMB's -6.13%.
SWNTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.29), 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.
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