TAFM vs. TAXS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TAFM (AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. TAFM is actively managed, while TAXS is passively managed. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TAFM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.

Performance

TAFM vs. TAXS - 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 Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAFM achieves a 2.03% return, which is significantly higher than TAXS's 1.03% return.

TAFM

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.06%
• 1Y: 6.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TAXS

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAFM vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	2.03%	4.28%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.03%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between TAFM and TAXS is 0.54, 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 19, 2025	0.54

Return for Risk

TAFM vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAFM

TAFM Risk / Return Rank: 71
TAFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
TAFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
TAFM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
TAFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TAFM Martin Ratio Rank: 56

TAXS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. TAXS - 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 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.

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.

	TAFM	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.09	—	—

Drawdowns

TAFM vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAFM drawdown since its inception was -4.74%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAFM and TAXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAFM	TAXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.74%	-0.84%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.04%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.93%	-0.22%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TAFM	TAXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.05%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07%	0.99%	+2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.90%	0.99%	+3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.90%	0.99%	+3.91%

TAFM vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

TAFM vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison

TAFM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, more than TAXS's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
TAFM AB Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF	3.63%	3.51%	3.35%	0.18%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.82%	0.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAFM and TAXS in my portfolio?

TAFM and TAXS have a correlation of 0.54, 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 TAXS?

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.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAFM or TAXS?

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

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

TAFM has the higher dividend yield at 3.63%, compared with 1.82% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between TAFM and TAXS?

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