TFI vs. TAXS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TFI (SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - TFI tracks the Bloomberg US Municipal Managed Money (1-25 Y) while TAXS tracks the ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TFI charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.

Performance

TFI vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF (TFI) 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, TFI achieves a 1.19% return, which is significantly higher than TAXS's 0.93% return.

TFI

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.64%
• 1Y: 6.67%
• 3Y*: 2.99%
• 5Y*: -0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.51%

TAXS

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

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

TFI vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TFI SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF	1.19%	4.04%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.93%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between TFI and TAXS is 0.66, 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	0.66

Return for Risk

TFI vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFI

TFI Risk / Return Rank: 65
TFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
TFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
TFI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
TFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
TFI Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

TFI vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF (TFI) 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.

	TFI	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.91	—	—
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

	TFI	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	2.78	-2.27

Drawdowns

TFI vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFI drawdown since its inception was -15.49%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFI and TAXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFI	TAXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.49%	-0.84%	-14.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.79%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-0.09%	-1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.97%	-0.24%	-2.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TFI	TAXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.10%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82%	1.00%	+1.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.31%	1.00%	+3.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.00%	1.00%	+4.00%

TFI vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TFI has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TFI vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison

TFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, more than TAXS's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TFI SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF	3.48%	3.32%	3.01%	2.41%	1.87%	1.71%	1.91%	2.14%	2.26%	2.16%	2.39%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFI and TAXS in my portfolio?

TFI and TAXS have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, TFI 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, TFI or TAXS?

TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for TFI.

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

TFI has the higher dividend yield at 3.48%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between TFI and TAXS?

TFI tracks Bloomberg US Municipal Managed Money (1-25 Y), while TAXS tracks ICE Short Term Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for TFI and 0.05% for TAXS.