THYM vs. SMB

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

THYM (T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF) and SMB (VanEck Short Muni ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - THYM is a High Yield Muni fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while SMB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous. THYM is actively managed, while SMB is passively managed. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. THYM charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SMB.

Performance

THYM vs. SMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF (THYM) and VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, THYM achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly higher than SMB's 0.59% return.

THYM

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 3.23%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMB

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: -0.05%
• 6M: 0.62%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 1Y: 2.79%
• 3Y*: 3.46%
• 5Y*: 1.18%
• 10Y*: 1.46%

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

THYM vs. SMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
THYM T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF	4.04%	0.25%
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	0.59%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between THYM and SMB is 0.39, 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 Nov 20, 2025	0.39

Return for Risk

THYM vs. SMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

THYM

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

SMB

SMB Risk / Return Rank: 61
SMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SMB Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SMB Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

THYM vs. SMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF (THYM) and VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB). 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.

	THYM	SMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.69	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.44	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.34	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.57	—

Drawdowns

THYM vs. SMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THYM drawdown since its inception was -2.93%, smaller than the maximum SMB drawdown of -12.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THYM and SMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	THYM	SMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-12.64%	+9.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-1.17%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.80%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-12.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-0.29%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-1.13%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.42%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	THYM	SMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.35%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.06%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.32%	1.62%	+2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.32%	2.48%	+1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.32%	4.25%	+0.07%

THYM vs. SMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

THYM has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than SMB's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

THYM vs. SMB - Dividend Comparison

THYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than SMB's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	2.76%	2.63%	2.38%	1.83%	1.32%	1.24%	1.50%	1.58%	1.49%	1.23%	1.12%	1.13%
THYM T. Rowe Price High Income Municipal ETF	2.56%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THYM and SMB in my portfolio?

THYM and SMB have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, THYM or SMB?

On fees, SMB is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, THYM or SMB?

SMB is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for THYM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, THYM or SMB?

SMB has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 2.56% for THYM.

What is the main difference between THYM and SMB?

THYM is categorized as High Yield Muni, while SMB is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for THYM and 0.20% for SMB.