SYFI vs. TAFM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SYFI (AB Short Duration High Yield ETF) and TAFM (AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SYFI is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while TAFM is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SYFI returned 5.40% vs 5.14% for TAFM. Their 0.28 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SYFI charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for TAFM.

Performance

SYFI vs. TAFM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Short Duration High Yield ETF (SYFI) and AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYFI achieves a 2.22% return, which is significantly higher than TAFM's 0.84% return.

SYFI

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• 6M: 1.77%
• YTD: 2.22%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.83%

TAFM

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -1.60%
• 6M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 1Y: 5.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.47%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SYFI AB Short Duration High Yield ETF	$3.60M	$3.33M	$4.18M
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	$4.72M	$4.38M	$5.17M

SYFI vs. TAFM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SYFI AB Short Duration High Yield ETF	2.22%	7.19%	5.12%
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	0.84%	4.21%	2.25%

Correlation

The correlation between SYFI and TAFM is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2024	0.28

Return for Risk

SYFI vs. TAFM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SYFI

SYFI Risk / Return Rank: 76
SYFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SYFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SYFI Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SYFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
SYFI Martin Ratio Rank: 85

TAFM

TAFM Risk / Return Rank: 73
TAFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
TAFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
TAFM Omega Ratio Rank: 84
TAFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
TAFM Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SYFI vs. TAFM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Short Duration High Yield ETF (SYFI) and AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM). 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.

	SYFI	TAFM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.84	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	2.60	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.36	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	2.11	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	7.17	+4.93

SYFI vs. TAFM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYFI Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the TAFM Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYFI and TAFM, 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

SYFI vs. TAFM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYFI drawdown since its inception was -4.49%, smaller than the maximum TAFM drawdown of -4.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYFI and TAFM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYFI	TAFM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.49%	-4.74%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.94%	-2.69%	+0.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-1.70%	+1.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-0.92%	+0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.43%	0.79%	-0.36%

Volatility

SYFI vs. TAFM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Short Duration High Yield ETF (SYFI) is 0.60%, while AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM) has a volatility of 0.86%. This indicates that SYFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TAFM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYFI	TAFM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.60%	0.86%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.53%	2.20%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.16%	3.09%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.12%	4.84%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.12%	4.84%	-0.72%

SYFI vs. TAFM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SYFI has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than TAFM's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SYFI vs. TAFM - Dividend Comparison

SYFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.04%, more than TAFM's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
SYFI AB Short Duration High Yield ETF	5.51%	6.20%	3.26%	0.00%
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	3.37%	3.51%	3.35%	0.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SYFI and TAFM in my portfolio?

SYFI and TAFM have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SYFI or TAFM?

TAFM has higher volatility (0.86%) compared to SYFI (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYFI dropped -4.49% vs TAFM's -4.74%.

Which ETF is better, SYFI or TAFM?

On 1-year performance, SYFI leads with 5.40% vs 5.14% for TAFM. On fees, TAFM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, SYFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SYFI or TAFM?

Over the 1-year period, SYFI has performed better with a 5.40% return vs 5.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SYFI or TAFM?

TAFM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for SYFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SYFI or TAFM?

SYFI has the higher dividend yield at 5.51%, compared with 3.37% for TAFM.

What is the main difference between SYFI and TAFM?

SYFI is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while TAFM is Municipal Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SYFI and 0.28% for TAFM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAFM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.64), 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.