TAFI vs. TAXS
TAFI (AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. TAFI is actively managed, while TAXS is passively managed. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAFI charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.
Performance
TAFI vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TAFI achieves a 1.11% return, which is significantly higher than TAXS's 0.93% return.
TAFI
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- YTD
- 1.11%
- 6M
- 1.34%
- 1Y
- 4.01%
- 3Y*
- 3.68%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TAXS
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.38%
- YTD
- 0.93%
- 6M
- 1.33%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TAFI vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
TAFI AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF | 1.11% | 1.34% |
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.93% | 1.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between TAFI and TAXS is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025 | 0.48 |
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Return for Risk
TAFI vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank
TAFI
TAXS
TAFI vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF (TAFI) 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.
| TAFI | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.33 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.99 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| TAFI | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.76 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.72 | 2.78 | -1.06 |
Drawdowns
TAFI vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TAFI drawdown since its inception was -2.00%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAFI and TAXS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TAFI | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.00% | -0.84% | -1.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.21% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.87% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.21% | -0.09% | -0.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.38% | -0.24% | -0.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.34% | — | — |
Volatility
TAFI vs. TAXS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| TAFI | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.45% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.94% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.46% | 1.00% | +0.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.98% | 1.00% | +0.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.98% | 1.00% | +0.98% |
TAFI vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison
TAFI has a 0.27% 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
TAFI vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison
TAFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.15%, more than TAXS's 1.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TAFI AB Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF | 3.15% | 3.21% | 3.34% | 3.27% | 0.79% |
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.83% | 0.74% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TAFI and TAXS have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for TAFI.
TAFI has the higher dividend yield at 3.15%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.
They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for TAFI and 0.05% for TAXS.
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