TAFM vs. CPLS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAFM (AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF) and CPLS (AB Core Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TAFM is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while CPLS is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TAFM returned 7.39% vs 5.19% for CPLS. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TAFM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for CPLS.

Performance

TAFM vs. CPLS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAFM achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly higher than CPLS's 0.36% return.

TAFM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 6M: 2.26%
• 1Y: 7.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPLS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.14%
• 1Y: 5.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAFM vs. CPLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	1.91%	4.21%	2.54%	1.51%
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	0.36%	6.91%	1.65%	1.21%

Correlation

The correlation between TAFM and CPLS is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.64

The correlation between TAFM and CPLS shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TAFM vs. CPLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAFM

TAFM Risk / Return Rank: 68
TAFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TAFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TAFM Omega Ratio Rank: 79
TAFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TAFM Martin Ratio Rank: 57

CPLS

CPLS Risk / Return Rank: 40
CPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
CPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 37
CPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
CPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

TAFM vs. CPLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM) and AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS). 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.

	TAFM	CPLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.35	+0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	2.04	+1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.24	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.11	+0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	6.61	+3.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAFM vs. CPLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAFM Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the CPLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAFM and CPLS, 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

	TAFM	CPLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.35	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.85	-0.01

Drawdowns

TAFM vs. CPLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAFM drawdown since its inception was -4.74%, which is greater than CPLS's maximum drawdown of -4.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAFM and CPLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAFM	CPLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.74%	-4.43%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.69%	-2.47%	-0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-1.20%	+0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.95%	-1.24%	+0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	0.79%	-0.04%

Volatility

TAFM vs. CPLS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM) is 1.00%, while AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that TAFM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CPLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAFM	CPLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	1.38%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.15%	2.86%	-0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	3.87%	-0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.95%	4.82%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	4.82%	+0.13%

TAFM vs. CPLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAFM has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than CPLS's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAFM vs. CPLS - Dividend Comparison

TAFM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.64%, less than CPLS's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	4.62%	4.66%	4.71%	0.23%
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	3.64%	3.51%	3.35%	0.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAFM and CPLS in my portfolio?

TAFM and CPLS have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAFM or CPLS?

CPLS has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to TAFM (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAFM dropped -4.74% vs CPLS's -4.43%.

Which ETF is better, TAFM or CPLS?

On 1-year performance, TAFM leads with 7.39% vs 5.19% for CPLS. On fees, TAFM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, TAFM has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAFM or CPLS?

Over the 1-year period, TAFM has performed better with a 7.39% return vs 5.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAFM or CPLS?

TAFM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for CPLS.

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

CPLS has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 3.64% for TAFM.

What is the main difference between TAFM and CPLS?

TAFM is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while CPLS is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for TAFM and 0.33% for CPLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAFM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.35), 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.