SWNTX vs. VWALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SWNTX (Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™) and VWALX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, SWNTX returned 1.66%/yr vs 3.12%/yr for VWALX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWNTX charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VWALX.

Performance

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ (SWNTX) 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, SWNTX achieves a 1.14% return, which is significantly lower than VWALX's 2.14% return. Over the past 10 years, SWNTX has underperformed VWALX with an annualized return of 1.66%, while VWALX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.12% annualized return.

SWNTX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.14%
• 6M: 1.63%
• 1Y: 6.47%
• 3Y*: 3.36%
• 5Y*: 0.57%
• 10Y*: 1.66%

VWALX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 2.14%
• 6M: 2.50%
• 1Y: 8.66%
• 3Y*: 5.49%
• 5Y*: 1.62%
• 10Y*: 3.12%

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

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWNTX Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™	1.14%	4.20%	1.57%	5.09%	-8.57%	0.37%	4.45%	6.55%	0.88%	4.29%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	2.14%	5.06%	4.08%	8.45%	-11.69%	3.42%	5.49%	9.58%	1.38%	7.96%

Correlation

The correlation between SWNTX and VWALX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.87

The correlation between SWNTX and VWALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWNTX vs. VWALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWNTX

SWNTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
SWNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
SWNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SWNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SWNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
SWNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VWALX

VWALX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VWALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VWALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VWALX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
VWALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VWALX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ (SWNTX) 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.

	SWNTX	VWALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	2.57	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	4.16	-0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.65	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	2.79	-0.49
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.68	10.18	-2.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWNTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.58, which is comparable to the VWALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWNTX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SWNTX	VWALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58	2.57	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.34	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.68	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.16	1.09	+0.08

Drawdowns

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWNTX drawdown since its inception was -13.26%, smaller than the maximum VWALX drawdown of -17.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWNTX and VWALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWNTX	VWALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.26%	-17.24%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-3.05%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.85%	-7.10%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.26%	-17.24%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.26%	-17.24%	+3.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-0.15%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-2.17%	+0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	0.84%	+0.02%

Volatility

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ (SWNTX) is 0.94%, while Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that SWNTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWNTX	VWALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.94%	1.27%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.86%	2.43%	-0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44%	3.27%	-0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.49%	4.81%	-1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.57%	4.64%	-1.07%

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWNTX has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VWALX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWNTX vs. VWALX - Dividend Comparison

SWNTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.46%, less than VWALX's 4.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWNTX Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™	3.46%	3.78%	3.20%	2.54%	1.73%	1.62%	2.34%	2.58%	2.41%	2.21%	3.14%	2.71%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	4.14%	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 SWNTX and VWALX in my portfolio?

SWNTX and VWALX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWNTX or VWALX?

VWALX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to SWNTX (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWNTX dropped -13.26% vs VWALX's -17.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWNTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 2.57), 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.