VTEL vs. TAXT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VTEL (Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and TAXT (Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - VTEL tracks the S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index while TAXT tracks the ICE Focused Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTEL charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXT.

Performance

VTEL vs. TAXT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXT). 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 TAXT's 1.55% return.

VTEL

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

TAXT

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 6M: 2.18%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VTEL vs. TAXT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.88%	6.05%
TAXT Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.55%	3.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VTEL and TAXT is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.84

Return for Risk

VTEL vs. TAXT — 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

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. TAXT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEL) and Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXT). 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	TAXT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.23	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTEL	TAXT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.26	2.84	-0.58

Drawdowns

VTEL vs. TAXT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEL drawdown since its inception was -3.22%, which is greater than TAXT's maximum drawdown of -2.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEL and TAXT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTEL	TAXT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.22%	-2.49%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.52%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.59%	-0.47%	-0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VTEL	TAXT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.64%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.75%	2.54%	+1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.77%	2.54%	+1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.77%	2.54%	+1.23%

VTEL vs. TAXT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEL has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXT's 0.05% 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%.

Dividends

VTEL vs. TAXT - Dividend Comparison

VTEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than TAXT's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
TAXT Northern Trust Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.54%	1.23%
VTEL Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.81%	2.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTEL and TAXT in my portfolio?

VTEL and TAXT have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VTEL or TAXT?

On fees, TAXT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTEL or TAXT?

TAXT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VTEL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTEL or TAXT?

VTEL has the higher dividend yield at 3.81%, compared with 2.54% for TAXT.

What is the main difference between VTEL and TAXT?

VTEL tracks S&P 10+ Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while TAXT tracks ICE Focused Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VTEL and 0.05% for TAXT.