TAIFX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

TAIFX (American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth & Income Portfolio F1) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. TAIFX is actively managed, while VTMFX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TAIFX returned 7.87%/yr vs 8.63%/yr for VTMFX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TAIFX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth & Income Portfolio F1 (TAIFX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAIFX achieves a 6.03% return, which is significantly higher than VTMFX's 4.54% return. Over the past 10 years, TAIFX has underperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 7.87%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.63% annualized return.

TAIFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 5.73%
• 1Y: 14.74%
• 3Y*: 12.34%
• 5Y*: 6.73%
• 10Y*: 7.87%

VTMFX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 4.54%
• 6M: 3.99%
• 1Y: 13.66%
• 3Y*: 11.83%
• 5Y*: 6.76%
• 10Y*: 8.63%

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

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TAIFX American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth & Income Portfolio F1	6.03%	13.74%	9.96%	11.78%	-10.23%	12.35%	7.41%	15.90%	-2.19%	14.21%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	4.54%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between TAIFX and VTMFX 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	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2012	0.94

The correlation between TAIFX and VTMFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TAIFX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAIFX

TAIFX Risk / Return Rank: 73
TAIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
TAIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
TAIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TAIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
TAIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth & Income Portfolio F1 (TAIFX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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.

	TAIFX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.12	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.99	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.40	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.54	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.36	11.82	-0.46

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAIFX and VTMFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAIFX drawdown since its inception was -21.43%, smaller than the maximum VTMFX drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAIFX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAIFX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.43%	-28.49%	+7.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.85%	-5.38%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.35%	-10.61%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.79%	-17.40%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.43%	-21.87%	+0.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-1.41%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-3.54%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.29%	1.16%	+0.13%

Volatility

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth & Income Portfolio F1 (TAIFX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) have volatilities of 2.49% and 2.55%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAIFX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.49%	2.55%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.62%	5.21%	+0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.68%	6.48%	+0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.64%	8.57%	-0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.16%	9.14%	-0.98%

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAIFX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAIFX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

TAIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than VTMFX's 2.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TAIFX American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth & Income Portfolio F1	4.57%	5.50%	5.11%	4.25%	4.32%	2.40%	2.60%	3.72%	4.52%	4.08%	3.57%	3.41%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.13%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAIFX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TAIFX and VTMFX 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, TAIFX or VTMFX?

VTMFX has higher volatility (2.55%) compared to TAIFX (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAIFX dropped -21.43% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 2.12), 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.