VMLTX vs. PONAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VMLTX (Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and PONAX (PIMCO Income Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - VMLTX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while PONAX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, VMLTX returned 2.13%/yr vs 4.30%/yr for PONAX. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VMLTX charges 0.17%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for PONAX.

Performance

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VMLTX) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMLTX achieves a 1.01% return, which is significantly higher than PONAX's 0.83% return. Over the past 10 years, VMLTX has underperformed PONAX with an annualized return of 2.13%, while PONAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.30% annualized return.

VMLTX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 1.37%
• 1Y: 4.36%
• 3Y*: 4.24%
• 5Y*: 2.12%
• 10Y*: 2.13%

PONAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 7.96%
• 3Y*: 7.44%
• 5Y*: 3.14%
• 10Y*: 4.30%

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

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMLTX Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.01%	5.39%	3.14%	4.19%	-2.98%	0.83%	3.30%	4.11%	1.56%	2.02%
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	0.83%	10.63%	5.02%	8.96%	-9.34%	2.21%	5.40%	7.65%	0.21%	8.19%

Correlation

The correlation between VMLTX and PONAX is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2007	0.35

The correlation between VMLTX and PONAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (all time) to 0.57 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VMLTX vs. PONAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMLTX

VMLTX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VMLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VMLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VMLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
VMLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VMLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

PONAX

PONAX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PONAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PONAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
PONAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
PONAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PONAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VMLTX) and PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX). 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.

	VMLTX	PONAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	1.96	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.38	2.92	+2.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.96	1.38	+0.58
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	2.17	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.49	7.45	+2.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMLTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is higher than the PONAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMLTX and PONAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VMLTX	PONAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93	1.96	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.14	0.66	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.10	1.03	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.93	1.48	+0.45

Drawdowns

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMLTX drawdown since its inception was -6.41%, smaller than the maximum PONAX drawdown of -13.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMLTX and PONAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMLTX	PONAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-13.64%	+7.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.53%	-3.69%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.02%	-3.90%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.69%	-13.64%	+7.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.41%	-13.64%	+7.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-1.03%	+0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.48%	-1.80%	+1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	1.07%	-0.61%

Volatility

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VMLTX) is 0.46%, while PIMCO Income Fund Class A (PONAX) has a volatility of 1.67%. This indicates that VMLTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PONAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMLTX	PONAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	1.67%	-1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.14%	3.25%	-2.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49%	4.10%	-2.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.86%	4.81%	-2.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.93%	4.21%	-2.28%

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMLTX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than PONAX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

VMLTX vs. PONAX - Dividend Comparison

VMLTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, less than PONAX's 5.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PONAX PIMCO Income Fund Class A	5.43%	5.61%	5.86%	5.86%	4.66%	3.62%	4.48%	5.42%	5.24%	4.97%	5.13%	7.45%
VMLTX Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.07%	3.75%	3.27%	2.30%	1.56%	1.64%	1.62%	2.01%	1.81%	1.55%	1.52%	1.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMLTX and PONAX in my portfolio?

VMLTX and PONAX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMLTX or PONAX?

PONAX has higher volatility (1.67%) compared to VMLTX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMLTX dropped -6.41% vs PONAX's -13.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMLTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 1.96), 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.