VTEB vs. VEA
VTEB (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTEB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTEB returned 2.06%/yr vs 10.53%/yr for VEA. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VTEB vs. VEA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTEB achieves a 1.52% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VTEB has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 2.06%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.53% annualized return.
VTEB
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 0.72%
- YTD
- 1.52%
- 6M
- 1.89%
- 1Y
- 6.79%
- 3Y*
- 3.47%
- 5Y*
- 0.82%
- 10Y*
- 2.06%
VEA
- 1D
- 3.63%
- 1M
- 1.92%
- YTD
- 14.35%
- 6M
- 15.67%
- 1Y
- 30.39%
- 3Y*
- 19.28%
- 5Y*
- 9.43%
- 10Y*
- 10.53%
VTEB vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.52% | 3.72% | 1.31% | 6.15% | -7.99% | 1.14% | 5.19% | 7.35% | 1.04% | 4.87% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.35% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 22.62% | -14.75% | 26.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTEB and VEA is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2015 | 0.06 |
Over the past year, VTEB and VEA have become more correlated (0.34) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VTEB vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank
VTEB
VEA
VTEB vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.
| VTEB | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.55 | 1.34 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.52 | 2.63 | -0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.90 | 10.08 | -1.19 |
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Drawdowns
VTEB vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTEB drawdown since its inception was -17.00%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEB and VEA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTEB | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.00% | -60.68% | +43.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.71% | -11.63% | +8.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.53% | -13.45% | +7.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -12.64% | -29.71% | +17.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.00% | -35.73% | +18.73% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.46% | -1.40% | +0.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.32% | -13.28% | +10.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.76% | 3.02% | -2.26% |
Volatility
VTEB vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) is 0.92%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.89%. This indicates that VTEB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTEB | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.92% | 6.89% | -5.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.04% | 14.42% | -12.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.70% | 16.58% | -13.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.90% | 16.72% | -12.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.26% | 17.41% | -12.15% |
VTEB vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VTEB and VEA have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTEB vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison
VTEB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, more than VEA's 2.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.63% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 3.35% | 3.29% | 3.14% | 2.79% | 2.09% | 1.64% | 1.99% | 2.30% | 2.25% | 1.96% | 1.66% | 0.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTEB and VEA have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VEA has higher volatility (6.89%) compared to VTEB (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEB dropped -17.00% vs VEA's -60.68%.
On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.53% vs 2.06% for VTEB. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VTEB has been the lower-risk option at 0.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.53% return vs 2.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTEB and VEA have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VTEB has the higher dividend yield at 3.35%, compared with 2.63% for VEA.
VTEB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VTEB tracks S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index.
VTEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.84), 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.
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