VWALX vs. FHTFX
VWALX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and FHTFX (Federated Hermes Municipal High Yield Advtg Fd) are both High Yield Muni funds. Over the past 10 years, VWALX returned 2.84%/yr vs 2.24%/yr for FHTFX. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VWALX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for FHTFX.
Performance
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VWALX achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly lower than FHTFX's 1.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VWALX has outperformed FHTFX with an annualized return of 2.84%, while FHTFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.24% annualized return.
VWALX
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- -2.14%
- 6M
- 0.53%
- YTD
- 1.15%
- 1Y
- 6.75%
- 3Y*
- 4.76%
- 5Y*
- 1.12%
- 10Y*
- 2.84%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.18%
FHTFX
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- -1.63%
- 6M
- 0.76%
- YTD
- 1.36%
- 1Y
- 7.39%
- 3Y*
- 4.08%
- 5Y*
- 0.25%
- 10Y*
- 2.24%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.96%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares | 1.15% | 5.06% | 4.08% | 8.45% | -11.69% | 3.42% | 5.49% | 9.58% | 1.38% | 7.96% |
FHTFX Federated Hermes Municipal High Yield Advtg Fd | 1.36% | 2.09% | 5.67% | 6.91% | -13.36% | 5.47% | 2.91% | 9.76% | 0.76% | 7.48% |
Correlation
The correlation between VWALX and FHTFX is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.84 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001 | 0.78 |
The correlation between VWALX and FHTFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VWALX vs. FHTFX — Risk / Return Rank
VWALX
FHTFX
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) and Federated Hermes Municipal High Yield Advtg Fd (FHTFX). 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.
| VWALX | FHTFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.73 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.68 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.55 | 3.77 | -1.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.04 | 14.41 | -5.36 |
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Drawdowns
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VWALX drawdown since its inception was -17.24%, smaller than the maximum FHTFX drawdown of -27.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWALX and FHTFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VWALX | FHTFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.24% | -27.61% | +10.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.05% | -2.46% | -0.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.14% | -7.25% | +1.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.24% | -17.77% | +0.53% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.24% | -17.77% | +0.53% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.14% | -1.63% | -0.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.16% | -2.65% | +0.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.86% | 0.72% | +0.14% |
Volatility
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) and Federated Hermes Municipal High Yield Advtg Fd (FHTFX) have volatilities of 1.02% and 0.98%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VWALX | FHTFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.02% | 0.98% | +0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.59% | 2.27% | +0.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.28% | 3.31% | -0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.83% | 5.17% | -0.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.64% | 4.86% | -0.22% |
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VWALX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FHTFX's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
VWALX vs. FHTFX - Dividend Comparison
VWALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, more than FHTFX's 3.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FHTFX Federated Hermes Municipal High Yield Advtg Fd | 3.43% | 3.02% | 4.53% | 3.81% | 3.65% | 3.14% | 3.52% | 3.88% | 3.85% | 3.88% | 4.11% | 4.02% |
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares | 3.86% | 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
VWALX and FHTFX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VWALX has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to FHTFX (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWALX dropped -17.24% vs FHTFX's -27.61%.
FHTFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.37), 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.
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