VTES vs. IBMN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares) and IBMN (iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - VTES tracks the S&P 0-7 Yr National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross while IBMN tracks the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2025 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VTES returned 3.22%/yr vs 2.44%/yr for IBMN. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTES charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IBMN.

Performance

VTES vs. IBMN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) and iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VTES

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 1.08%
• 1Y: 3.72%
• 3Y*: 3.22%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBMN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 1.26%
• 3Y*: 2.44%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTES vs. IBMN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares	0.65%	4.19%	1.85%	3.32%
IBMN iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.00%	2.49%	2.33%	2.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VTES and IBMN is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2023	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between VTES and IBMN has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VTES vs. IBMN — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTES

VTES Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VTES Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VTES Martin Ratio Rank: 46

IBMN

IBMN Risk / Return Rank: 71
IBMN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
IBMN Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
IBMN Omega Ratio Rank: 94
IBMN Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IBMN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

VTES vs. IBMN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) and iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN). 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.

	VTES	IBMN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	2.22	+0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.36	3.67	+0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	1.69	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	1.58	+0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.58	16.58	-9.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTES vs. IBMN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTES Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is higher than the IBMN Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTES and IBMN, 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

	VTES	IBMN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	2.22	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.30	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.81	0.58	+1.22

Drawdowns

VTES vs. IBMN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTES drawdown since its inception was -2.42%, smaller than the maximum IBMN drawdown of -12.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTES and IBMN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTES	IBMN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.42%	-12.40%	+9.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.47%	-0.25%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.80%	-1.10%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-0.05%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.50%	-1.81%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	0.10%	+0.39%

Volatility

VTES vs. IBMN - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) has a higher volatility of 0.35% compared to iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN) at 0.00%. This indicates that VTES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBMN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTES	IBMN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.00%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.97%	0.50%	+0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24%	0.71%	+0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.72%	1.80%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.72%	3.89%	-2.17%

VTES vs. IBMN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTES has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than IBMN's 0.18% 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

VTES vs. IBMN - Dividend Comparison

VTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, more than IBMN's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IBMN iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF	1.14%	2.03%	2.03%	1.72%	0.97%	0.70%	1.11%	1.65%	0.23%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares	2.75%	2.77%	2.99%	2.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTES and IBMN in my portfolio?

VTES and IBMN have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTES or IBMN?

VTES has higher volatility (0.35%) compared to IBMN (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTES dropped -2.42% vs IBMN's -12.40%.

Which ETF is better, VTES or IBMN?

On 3-year performance, VTES leads with 3.22% vs 2.44% for IBMN. On fees, VTES is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IBMN has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTES or IBMN?

Over the 3-year period, VTES has performed better with a 3.22% return vs 2.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTES or IBMN?

VTES is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IBMN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTES or IBMN?

VTES has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 1.14% for IBMN.

What is the main difference between VTES and IBMN?

VTES tracks S&P 0-7 Yr National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IBMN tracks S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2025 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VTES and 0.18% for IBMN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 2.22), 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.