TRIFX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

TRIFX (Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TRIFX returned 8.07%/yr vs 8.34%/yr for VTMFX. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. TRIFX charges 1.58%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund (TRIFX) 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, TRIFX achieves a 3.80% return, which is significantly lower than VTMFX's 4.67% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TRIFX having a 8.07% annualized return and VTMFX not far ahead at 8.34%.

TRIFX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: 1.40%
• YTD: 3.80%
• 1Y: 9.23%
• 3Y*: 8.54%
• 5Y*: 4.90%
• 10Y*: 8.07%
• ALL TIME*: 2.01%

VTMFX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -0.90%
• 6M: 3.20%
• YTD: 4.67%
• 1Y: 12.08%
• 3Y*: 10.85%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 8.34%
• ALL TIME*: 7.76%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TRIFX Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRIFX Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund	3.80%	5.53%	10.63%	14.49%	-12.48%	24.45%	5.12%	19.43%	-7.19%	12.65%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	4.67%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between TRIFX and VTMFX is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2008	0.73

The correlation between TRIFX and VTMFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRIFX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TRIFX

TRIFX Risk / Return Rank: 16
TRIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
TRIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TRIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TRIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
TRIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund (TRIFX) 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.

	TRIFX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	1.71	-1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.99	2.41	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.31	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	2.12	-1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.47	9.47	-7.00

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRIFX Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRIFX 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

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRIFX drawdown since its inception was -54.53%, which is greater than VTMFX's maximum drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRIFX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRIFX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.53%	-28.49%	-26.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-5.38%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.67%	-10.61%	-5.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.76%	-17.40%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.43%	-21.87%	-13.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.08%	-1.29%	-1.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.06%	-3.54%	-14.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	1.20%	+1.89%

Volatility

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund (TRIFX) has a higher volatility of 1.99% compared to Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) at 1.87%. This indicates that TRIFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRIFX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	1.87%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.76%	5.35%	+2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	6.67%	+4.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.70%	8.59%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.65%	9.14%	+2.51%

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRIFX has a 1.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRIFX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

TRIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.14%, more than VTMFX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRIFX Catalyst/SMH Total Return Income Fund	6.14%	4.90%	7.36%	5.42%	4.84%	5.15%	5.44%	5.36%	7.10%	6.47%	6.14%	10.01%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.22%	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 TRIFX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

TRIFX and VTMFX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TRIFX or VTMFX?

TRIFX has higher volatility (1.99%) compared to VTMFX (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRIFX dropped -54.53% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 0.66), 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.