VWAHX vs. VWALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VWAHX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and VWALX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VWAHX returned 3.04%/yr vs 3.12%/yr for VWALX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VWAHX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VWALX.

Performance

VWAHX vs. VWALX - 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 Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VWAHX having a 2.11% return and VWALX slightly higher at 2.14%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWAHX having a 3.04% annualized return and VWALX not far ahead at 3.12%.

VWAHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 8.57%
• 3Y*: 5.40%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 3.04%

VWALX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 2.14%
• 6M: 2.50%
• 1Y: 8.66%
• 3Y*: 5.49%
• 5Y*: 1.62%
• 10Y*: 3.12%

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

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	2.11%	4.96%	3.98%	8.39%	-11.76%	3.36%	5.39%	9.48%	1.31%	7.86%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	2.14%	5.06%	4.08%	8.45%	-11.69%	3.42%	5.49%	9.58%	1.38%	7.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VWAHX and VWALX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	1.00

The correlation between VWAHX and VWALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWAHX	VWALX
Technology	0.0%	0.0%
Financial Services	0.0%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VWAHX vs. VWALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWAHX

VWAHX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VWAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VWAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
VWAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VWAHX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

VWALX

VWALX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VWALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VWALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VWALX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
VWALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VWALX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. VWALX - 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 Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX). 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.

	VWAHX	VWALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.57	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	4.16	-0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.65	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.79	-0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.03	10.18	-0.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWAHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the VWALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWAHX and VWALX, 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

	VWAHX	VWALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.57	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.34	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.68	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	1.09	-0.44

Drawdowns

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWAHX drawdown since its inception was -40.26%, which is greater than VWALX's maximum drawdown of -17.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWAHX and VWALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWAHX	VWALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.26%	-17.24%	-23.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-3.05%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.12%	-7.10%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.32%	-17.24%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.32%	-17.24%	-0.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-0.15%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.93%	-2.17%	-4.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.84%	0.00%

Volatility

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) have volatilities of 1.26% and 1.27%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWAHX	VWALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	1.27%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.42%	2.43%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.26%	3.27%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.80%	4.81%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.64%	4.64%	0.00%

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWAHX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VWALX's 0.09% 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

VWAHX vs. VWALX - Dividend Comparison

VWAHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, less than VWALX's 4.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	4.14%	5.04%	4.47%	3.59%	3.44%	3.04%	3.40%	4.03%	3.85%	3.77%	3.86%	3.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWAHX and VWALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VWAHX and VWALX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VWAHX or VWALX?

VWALX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to VWAHX (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWAHX dropped -40.26% vs VWALX's -17.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.55), 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.