TAXS vs. BSMQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and BSMQ (Invesco BulletShares 2026 Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - TAXS tracks the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index while BSMQ tracks the Invesco BulletShares Municipal Bond 2026 Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAXS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for BSMQ.

Performance

TAXS vs. BSMQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS) and Invesco BulletShares 2026 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAXS achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly higher than BSMQ's 0.73% return.

TAXS

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BSMQ

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 3.08%
• 3Y*: 2.92%
• 5Y*: 0.29%
• 10Y*: —

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

TAXS vs. BSMQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.93%	1.22%
BSMQ Invesco BulletShares 2026 Municipal Bond ETF	0.73%	1.44%

Correlation

The correlation between TAXS and BSMQ is 0.10, 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	0.10

Return for Risk

TAXS vs. BSMQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSMQ

BSMQ Risk / Return Rank: 85
BSMQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
BSMQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BSMQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BSMQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BSMQ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

TAXS vs. BSMQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS) and Invesco BulletShares 2026 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMQ). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TAXS	BSMQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.78	0.25	+2.53

Drawdowns

TAXS vs. BSMQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAXS drawdown since its inception was -0.84%, smaller than the maximum BSMQ drawdown of -13.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAXS and BSMQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAXS	BSMQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.84%	-13.18%	+12.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.33%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-2.53%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.12%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-3.48%	+3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.12%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TAXS	BSMQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.39%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.94%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00%	1.33%	-0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.00%	2.68%	-1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.00%	4.79%	-3.79%

TAXS vs. BSMQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAXS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than BSMQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TAXS vs. BSMQ - Dividend Comparison

TAXS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than BSMQ's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BSMQ Invesco BulletShares 2026 Municipal Bond ETF	2.76%	2.74%	2.75%	2.47%	1.60%	1.14%	1.57%	0.44%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.83%	0.74%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAXS and BSMQ in my portfolio?

TAXS and BSMQ have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, TAXS or BSMQ?

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, TAXS or BSMQ?

TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for BSMQ.

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

BSMQ has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between TAXS and BSMQ?

TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index, while BSMQ tracks Invesco BulletShares Municipal Bond 2026 Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for TAXS and 0.18% for BSMQ.