VTEL vs. FTABX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VTEL (Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and FTABX (Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past year, VTEL returned 8.64% vs 7.47% for FTABX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTEL charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FTABX.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEL achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly higher than FTABX's 1.43% return.

VTEL

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.25%
• 1Y: 8.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTABX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.90%
• 1Y: 7.47%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: 1.01%
• 10Y*: 2.36%

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

VTEL vs. FTABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.88%	6.66%
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	1.43%	6.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VTEL and FTABX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2025	0.68

The correlation between VTEL and FTABX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTEL vs. FTABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTEL

VTEL Risk / Return Rank: 66
VTEL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTEL Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VTEL Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VTEL Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VTEL Martin Ratio Rank: 53

FTABX

FTABX Risk / Return Rank: 67
FTABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FTABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FTABX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
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.

	VTEL	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.65	-0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	4.16	-0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.65	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.43	+0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.23	8.40	+0.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTEL vs. FTABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTEL Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the FTABX Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTEL and FTABX, 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

	VTEL	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.65	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.26	1.05	+1.20

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	-3.22%	-3.11%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.99%	—
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	-0.19%	-0.78%	+0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.59%	-2.12%	+1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.90%	0.00%

Volatility

VTEL vs. FTABX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) has a higher volatility of 1.26% compared to Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX) at 1.08%. This indicates that VTEL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTEL	FTABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	1.08%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.64%	2.16%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.75%	2.76%	+0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.77%	4.16%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.77%	4.29%	-0.52%

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%.

Dividends

VTEL vs. FTABX - Dividend Comparison

VTEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than FTABX's 3.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.81%	2.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTEL and FTABX in my portfolio?

VTEL and FTABX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTEL or FTABX?

VTEL has higher volatility (1.26%) compared to FTABX (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEL dropped -3.22% vs FTABX's -16.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.32), 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.