WTMU vs. TAXS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WTMU (WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. WTMU is actively managed, while TAXS is passively managed. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WTMU charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.

Performance

WTMU vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF (WTMU) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WTMU achieves a 0.45% return, which is significantly lower than TAXS's 0.93% return.

WTMU

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 5.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TAXS

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WTMU vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
WTMU WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF	0.45%	3.52%
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.93%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between WTMU and TAXS is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.45

Return for Risk

WTMU vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTMU

WTMU Risk / Return Rank: 70
WTMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
WTMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
WTMU Omega Ratio Rank: 92
WTMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
WTMU Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

WTMU vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF (WTMU) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). 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.

	WTMU	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.25	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WTMU	TAXS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	2.78	-1.77

Drawdowns

WTMU vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTMU drawdown since its inception was -4.24%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTMU and TAXS.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTMU	TAXS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.24%	-0.84%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.52%	-0.09%	-1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.64%	-0.24%	-0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WTMU	TAXS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.77%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22%	1.00%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.76%	1.00%	+3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.76%	1.00%	+3.76%

WTMU vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTMU has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXS's 0.05% 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

WTMU vs. TAXS - Dividend Comparison

WTMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, more than TAXS's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.83%	0.74%
WTMU WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF	2.98%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTMU and TAXS in my portfolio?

WTMU and TAXS have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WTMU or TAXS?

On fees, TAXS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTMU or TAXS?

TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for WTMU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WTMU or TAXS?

WTMU has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.

What is the main difference between WTMU and TAXS?

They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for WTMU and 0.05% for TAXS.