VWALX vs. VWSUX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWALX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and VWSUX (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VWALX returned 3.14%/yr vs 2.01%/yr for VWSUX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWSUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWALX achieves a 2.33% return, which is significantly higher than VWSUX's 1.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VWALX has outperformed VWSUX with an annualized return of 3.14%, while VWSUX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.01% annualized return.

VWALX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 8.55%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 1.64%
• 10Y*: 3.14%

VWSUX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 3.76%
• 3Y*: 4.17%
• 5Y*: 2.54%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

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

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	2.33%	5.06%	4.08%	8.45%	-11.69%	3.42%	5.49%	9.58%	1.38%	7.96%
VWSUX Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.20%	4.90%	3.77%	3.70%	-0.73%	0.19%	1.91%	2.59%	1.67%	1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between VWALX and VWSUX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.60

The correlation between VWALX and VWSUX shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VWALX vs. VWSUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWALX

VWALX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VWALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VWALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VWALX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VWALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VWALX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VWSUX

VWSUX Risk / Return Rank: 97
VWSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VWSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VWSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VWSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
VWSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

VWALX vs. VWSUX - 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 Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWSUX). 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.

	VWALX	VWSUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	3.46	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.45	8.73	-4.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	2.71	-1.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	5.57	-2.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.63	24.88	-14.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the VWSUX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWALX and VWSUX, 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

	VWALX	VWSUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	3.46	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	2.09	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	1.80	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	2.05	-0.97

Drawdowns

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWALX drawdown since its inception was -17.24%, which is greater than VWSUX's maximum drawdown of -3.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWALX and VWSUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWALX	VWSUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.24%	-3.08%	-14.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-0.69%	-2.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.10%	-1.01%	-6.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.24%	-2.23%	-15.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.24%	-3.08%	-14.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-0.15%	-2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.15%	+0.69%

Volatility

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) has a higher volatility of 1.27% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWSUX) at 0.39%. This indicates that VWALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWSUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWALX	VWSUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	0.39%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.39%	0.82%	+1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	1.11%	+2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.81%	1.23%	+3.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.64%	1.12%	+3.52%

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VWALX and VWSUX have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VWALX vs. VWSUX - Dividend Comparison

VWALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, more than VWSUX's 3.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	4.13%	5.04%	4.47%	3.59%	3.44%	3.04%	3.40%	4.03%	3.85%	3.77%	3.86%	3.75%
VWSUX Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.12%	4.00%	3.82%	2.27%	1.24%	0.63%	1.26%	1.79%	1.53%	1.16%	0.97%	0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWALX and VWSUX in my portfolio?

VWALX and VWSUX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWALX or VWSUX?

VWALX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to VWSUX (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWALX dropped -17.24% vs VWSUX's -3.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWSUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 2.74), 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.