VTEL vs. FTABX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX).

VTEL is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. It was launched on May 20, 2025. FTABX is managed by Fidelity. It was launched on Apr 10, 2001.

Performance

VTEL vs. FTABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VTEL vs. FTABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	-0.47%	6.66%
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	-0.77%	6.45%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEL achieves a -0.47% return, which is significantly higher than FTABX's -0.77% return.

VTEL

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -2.49%
• YTD: -0.47%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTABX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.93%
• YTD: -0.77%
• 6M: 0.87%
• 1Y: 4.33%
• 3Y*: 3.49%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 2.29%

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

VTEL vs. FTABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEL has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FTABX's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

FTABX

Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund

VTEL

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF

Return for Risk

VTEL vs. FTABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTABX

FTABX Risk / Return Rank: 56
FTABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FTABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
FTABX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FTABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FTABX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

VTEL vs. FTABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTEL	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.08	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.93	1.04	+0.90

Correlation

The correlation between VTEL and FTABX is 0.64, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VTEL vs. FTABX - Dividend Comparison

VTEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, less than FTABX's 3.21% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.88%	2.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	3.21%	4.18%	2.81%	2.90%	2.16%	2.27%	2.64%	2.94%	3.01%	3.49%	4.22%	3.29%

Drawdowns

VTEL vs. FTABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEL drawdown since its inception was -3.22%, smaller than the maximum FTABX drawdown of -16.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEL and FTABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTEL	FTABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.22%	-16.14%	+12.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.14%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-16.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.49%	-2.93%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.49%	-2.13%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.36%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VTEL	FTABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.10%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.77%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78%	4.84%	-1.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.78%	4.12%	-0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.78%	4.27%	-0.49%