TACAX vs. VCITX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TACAX (John Hancock California Municipal Bond Fund) and VCITX (Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, TACAX returned 2.12%/yr vs 2.53%/yr for VCITX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TACAX charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VCITX.

Performance

TACAX vs. VCITX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock California Municipal Bond Fund (TACAX) and Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TACAX achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly higher than VCITX's 1.76% return. Over the past 10 years, TACAX has underperformed VCITX with an annualized return of 2.12%, while VCITX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.53% annualized return.

TACAX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.14%
• YTD: 2.04%
• 6M: 2.37%
• 1Y: 8.80%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 1.15%
• 10Y*: 2.12%

VCITX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 2.16%
• 1Y: 8.47%
• 3Y*: 4.78%
• 5Y*: 1.34%
• 10Y*: 2.53%

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

TACAX vs. VCITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TACAX John Hancock California Municipal Bond Fund	2.04%	3.05%	2.32%	7.28%	-9.13%	2.32%	3.70%	7.71%	0.43%	6.11%
VCITX Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.76%	4.90%	2.66%	7.51%	-10.06%	1.46%	5.60%	8.81%	0.67%	6.82%

Correlation

The correlation between TACAX and VCITX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1990	0.83

The correlation between TACAX and VCITX shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.94 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TACAX vs. VCITX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TACAX

TACAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
TACAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
TACAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
TACAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TACAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TACAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

VCITX

VCITX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VCITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VCITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VCITX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VCITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VCITX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

TACAX vs. VCITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock California Municipal Bond Fund (TACAX) and Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX). 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.

	TACAX	VCITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.68	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	4.23	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.66	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	2.45	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.02	8.75	-0.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TACAX vs. VCITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TACAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the VCITX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TACAX and VCITX, 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

	TACAX	VCITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.68	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.30	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.56	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.19	1.02	+0.16

Drawdowns

TACAX vs. VCITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TACAX drawdown since its inception was -15.80%, smaller than the maximum VCITX drawdown of -22.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TACAX and VCITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TACAX	VCITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.80%	-22.71%	+6.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.69%	-3.43%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.55%	-6.57%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.09%	-15.79%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.09%	-15.79%	+0.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.47%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.02%	-2.58%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.96%	+0.12%

Volatility

TACAX vs. VCITX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock California Municipal Bond Fund (TACAX) has a higher volatility of 1.41% compared to Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) at 1.23%. This indicates that TACAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCITX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TACAX	VCITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	1.23%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.80%	2.41%	+0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	3.15%	+0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.28%	4.56%	+0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.70%	4.56%	+0.14%

TACAX vs. VCITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TACAX has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is higher than VCITX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

TACAX vs. VCITX - Dividend Comparison

TACAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.82%, more than VCITX's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TACAX John Hancock California Municipal Bond Fund	3.82%	4.64%	3.09%	2.40%	2.93%	3.04%	2.86%	4.16%	3.51%	3.48%	3.64%	3.66%
VCITX Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.55%	4.34%	3.85%	2.99%	2.66%	2.56%	3.21%	3.16%	3.32%	3.22%	3.45%	3.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TACAX and VCITX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TACAX and VCITX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TACAX or VCITX?

TACAX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to VCITX (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TACAX dropped -15.80% vs VCITX's -22.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.27), 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.