VCRM vs. MUB
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB).
VCRM and MUB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VCRM is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the S&P Broad AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. It was launched on Nov 21, 2024. MUB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. It was launched on Sep 7, 2007. Both VCRM and MUB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
VCRM vs. MUB - Performance Comparison
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VCRM vs. MUB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
VCRM Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.34% | 4.91% | -0.58% |
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 0.04% | 3.78% | -0.42% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCRM achieves a 0.34% return, which is significantly higher than MUB's 0.04% return.
VCRM
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- -1.55%
- YTD
- 0.34%
- 6M
- 1.86%
- 1Y
- 4.77%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MUB
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- -1.55%
- YTD
- 0.04%
- 6M
- 1.52%
- 1Y
- 4.03%
- 3Y*
- 2.67%
- 5Y*
- 0.88%
- 10Y*
- 2.00%
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VCRM vs. MUB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCRM has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than MUB's 0.07% 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%.
Return for Risk
VCRM vs. MUB — Risk / Return Rank
VCRM
MUB
VCRM vs. MUB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB). 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.
| VCRM | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.20 | 0.98 | +0.22 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.53 | 1.27 | +0.25 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.21 | +0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.63 | 1.33 | +0.30 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.63 | 4.22 | +0.41 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VCRM | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.20 | 0.98 | +0.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.22 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.41 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.86 | 0.58 | +0.29 |
Correlation
The correlation between VCRM and MUB is 0.81, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VCRM vs. MUB - Dividend Comparison
VCRM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, more than MUB's 3.19% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCRM Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 3.59% | 3.42% | 0.40% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 3.19% | 3.14% | 3.01% | 2.65% | 2.11% | 1.81% | 2.11% | 2.42% | 2.46% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.51% |
Drawdowns
VCRM vs. MUB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCRM drawdown since its inception was -4.12%, smaller than the maximum MUB drawdown of -13.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCRM and MUB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCRM | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.12% | -13.68% | +9.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.22% | -3.30% | +0.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -11.88% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -13.68% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.83% | -1.87% | +0.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.15% | -2.24% | +1.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 1.04% | +0.09% |
Volatility
VCRM vs. MUB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) have volatilities of 1.49% and 1.56%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCRM | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.49% | 1.56% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.07% | 2.07% | 0.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.02% | 4.15% | -0.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.00% | 4.04% | -0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.00% | 4.91% | -0.91% |