VWIUX vs. USATX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWIUX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and USATX (USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate Term Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VWIUX returned 2.47%/yr vs 2.38%/yr for USATX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWIUX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for USATX.

Performance

VWIUX vs. USATX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWIUX achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly lower than USATX's 2.00% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWIUX having a 2.47% annualized return and USATX not far behind at 2.38%.

VWIUX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 6.74%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

USATX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 2.00%
• 6M: 2.31%
• 1Y: 6.89%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.34%
• 10Y*: 2.38%

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

VWIUX vs. USATX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.26%	5.99%	2.34%	5.90%	-6.83%	0.81%	5.23%	7.10%	1.34%	4.65%
USATX USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate Term Fund	2.00%	4.75%	2.89%	5.30%	-8.12%	2.06%	4.91%	7.03%	1.25%	5.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VWIUX and USATX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001	0.88

The correlation between VWIUX and USATX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWIUX vs. USATX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWIUX

VWIUX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWIUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VWIUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VWIUX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VWIUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VWIUX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

USATX

USATX Risk / Return Rank: 78
USATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
USATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
USATX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
USATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
USATX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VWIUX vs. USATX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX) and USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate Term Fund (USATX). 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.

	VWIUX	USATX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	3.03	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.73	5.01	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.79	1.86	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.89	-0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.71	10.62	-2.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWIUX vs. USATX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWIUX Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is comparable to the USATX Sharpe Ratio of 3.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWIUX and USATX, 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

	VWIUX	USATX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.95	3.03	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.36	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.65	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	1.13	-0.01

Drawdowns

VWIUX vs. USATX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWIUX drawdown since its inception was -11.38%, smaller than the maximum USATX drawdown of -12.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWIUX and USATX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWIUX	USATX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-12.72%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-2.42%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.40%	-4.97%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.38%	-12.52%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.38%	-12.52%	+1.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	0.00%	-0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.44%	-1.90%	+0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.66%	+0.24%

Volatility

VWIUX vs. USATX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX) is 0.88%, while USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate Term Fund (USATX) has a volatility of 0.96%. This indicates that VWIUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USATX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWIUX	USATX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.96%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.86%	1.72%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35%	2.32%	+0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.27%	3.74%	-0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.43%	3.68%	-0.25%

VWIUX vs. USATX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWIUX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than USATX's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWIUX vs. USATX - Dividend Comparison

VWIUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, less than USATX's 3.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
USATX USAA Tax Exempt Intermediate Term Fund	3.42%	3.71%	3.89%	2.95%	2.97%	2.33%	2.91%	2.87%	3.04%	3.15%	3.23%	3.26%
VWIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.33%	4.06%	3.63%	2.78%	2.51%	1.89%	2.40%	2.88%	2.89%	2.82%	2.91%	2.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWIUX and USATX in my portfolio?

VWIUX and USATX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWIUX or USATX?

USATX has higher volatility (0.96%) compared to VWIUX (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWIUX dropped -11.38% vs USATX's -12.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs 2.95), 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.