VWAHX vs. FDUAX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VWAHX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and FDUAX (First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A) are both High Yield Muni funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, VWAHX returned 8.77% vs 5.05% for FDUAX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWAHX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for FDUAX.

Performance

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) and First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FDUAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWAHX achieves a 2.65% return, which is significantly higher than FDUAX's 2.49% return.

VWAHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.34%
• 6M: 2.17%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 1Y: 8.77%
• 3Y*: 5.31%
• 5Y*: 1.38%
• 10Y*: 2.94%

FDUAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• 6M: 2.08%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 1Y: 5.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	2.65%	4.96%	4.18%
FDUAX First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A	2.49%	1.20%	6.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VWAHX and FDUAX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2024	0.72

The correlation between VWAHX and FDUAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VWAHX vs. FDUAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWAHX

VWAHX Risk / Return Rank: 87
VWAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VWAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VWAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VWAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VWAHX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

FDUAX

FDUAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
FDUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FDUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FDUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FDUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) and First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FDUAX). 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.

	VWAHX	FDUAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	1.25	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	1.78	+2.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.33	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	2.23	+0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.66	7.05	+3.61

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWAHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is higher than the FDUAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWAHX and FDUAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWAHX drawdown since its inception was -40.26%, which is greater than FDUAX's maximum drawdown of -3.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWAHX and FDUAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWAHX	FDUAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.26%	-3.96%	-36.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-1.71%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-0.30%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.91%	-0.69%	-6.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	0.65%	+0.16%

Volatility

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) has a higher volatility of 0.66% compared to First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FDUAX) at 0.56%. This indicates that VWAHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDUAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWAHX	FDUAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	0.56%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.43%	1.79%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21%	3.12%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.81%	3.21%	+1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.63%	3.21%	+1.42%

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWAHX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than FDUAX's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWAHX vs. FDUAX - Dividend Comparison

VWAHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, less than FDUAX's 5.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDUAX First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A	5.23%	4.83%	3.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	4.06%	4.95%	4.38%	3.53%	3.36%	2.98%	3.31%	3.94%	3.78%	3.68%	3.75%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWAHX and FDUAX in my portfolio?

VWAHX and FDUAX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWAHX or FDUAX?

VWAHX has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to FDUAX (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWAHX dropped -40.26% vs FDUAX's -3.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWAHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.25), 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.