TAXS vs. IBMN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and IBMN (iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - TAXS tracks the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index while IBMN tracks the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2025 Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAXS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IBMN.

Performance

TAXS vs. IBMN - 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 iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

TAXS

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

IBMN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 1.20%
• 3Y*: 2.44%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: —

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

TAXS vs. IBMN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.93%	1.22%
IBMN iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.00%	0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between TAXS and IBMN is 0.15, 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	0.15

Return for Risk

TAXS vs. IBMN — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBMN

IBMN Risk / Return Rank: 84
IBMN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
IBMN Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
IBMN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
IBMN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IBMN 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. IBMN - 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 iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN). 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	IBMN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.12	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.78	0.58	+2.19

Drawdowns

TAXS vs. IBMN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAXS drawdown since its inception was -0.84%, smaller than the maximum IBMN drawdown of -12.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAXS and IBMN.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAXS	IBMN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.84%	-12.40%	+11.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.25%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.10%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.05%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-1.81%	+1.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.10%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TAXS	IBMN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.00%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.50%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00%	0.71%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.00%	1.80%	-0.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.00%	3.89%	-2.89%

TAXS vs. IBMN - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAXS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IBMN'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. IBMN - Dividend Comparison

TAXS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, more than IBMN's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IBMN iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF	1.14%	2.03%	2.03%	1.72%	0.97%	0.70%	1.11%	1.65%	0.23%
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%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAXS and IBMN in my portfolio?

TAXS and IBMN have a correlation of 0.15, 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 IBMN?

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 IBMN?

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

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

TAXS has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 1.14% for IBMN.

What is the main difference between TAXS and IBMN?

TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index, while IBMN tracks S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2025 Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for TAXS and 0.18% for IBMN.