TAFM vs. TAXI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAFM (AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF) and TAXI (Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. TAFM is actively managed, while TAXI is passively managed. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TAFM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXI.

Performance

TAFM vs. TAXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM) and Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXI). 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 TAXI's 0.94% return.

TAFM

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

TAXI

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.94%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAFM vs. TAXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	1.91%	4.47%
TAXI Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.94%	3.35%

Correlation

The correlation between TAFM and TAXI is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.63

Return for Risk

TAFM vs. TAXI — 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

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. TAXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF (TAFM) and Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXI). 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	TAXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TAFM	TAXI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	2.92	-2.08

Drawdowns

TAFM vs. TAXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAFM drawdown since its inception was -4.74%, which is greater than TAXI's maximum drawdown of -2.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAFM and TAXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAFM	TAXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.74%	-2.23%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-0.79%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.95%	-0.46%	-0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TAFM	TAXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.15%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	1.90%	+1.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.95%	1.90%	+3.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	1.90%	+3.05%

TAFM vs. TAXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAFM has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXI's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAFM vs. TAXI - Dividend Comparison

TAFM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.64%, more than TAXI's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	3.64%	3.51%	3.35%	0.18%
TAXI Northern Trust Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.00%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAFM and TAXI in my portfolio?

TAFM and TAXI have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, TAFM or TAXI?

On fees, TAXI is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAFM or TAXI?

TAXI is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for TAFM.

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

TAFM has the higher dividend yield at 3.64%, compared with 2.00% for TAXI.

What is the main difference between TAFM and TAXI?

They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for TAFM and 0.05% for TAXI.