ZTAX vs. WTMU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZTAX (X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF) and WTMU (WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZTAX returned 6.21% vs 5.96% for WTMU. At a correlation of -0.17, they often move in opposite directions. ZTAX charges 1.14%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for WTMU.

Performance

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) and WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF (WTMU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZTAX achieves a 0.20% return, which is significantly lower than WTMU's 0.45% return.

ZTAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 0.20%
• 6M: 5.42%
• 1Y: 6.21%
• 3Y*: 4.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WTMU

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

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

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZTAX X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF	0.20%	4.15%
WTMU WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF	0.45%	5.09%

Correlation

The correlation between ZTAX and WTMU is -0.17, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	-0.17

Return for Risk

ZTAX vs. WTMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZTAX

ZTAX Risk / Return Rank: 14
ZTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
ZTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
ZTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
ZTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
ZTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) and WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF (WTMU). 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.

	ZTAX	WTMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.24	2.69	-2.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.53	3.92	-3.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.61	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.60	2.20	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.48	6.25	-4.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZTAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.24, which is lower than the WTMU Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZTAX and WTMU, 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

	ZTAX	WTMU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24	2.69	-2.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	1.01	-0.81

Drawdowns

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZTAX drawdown since its inception was -15.33%, which is greater than WTMU's maximum drawdown of -4.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZTAX and WTMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZTAX	WTMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.33%	-4.24%	-11.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-2.72%	-7.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.58%	-1.52%	-5.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.81%	-0.64%	-6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	0.96%	+3.26%

Volatility

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Volatility Comparison

X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) has a higher volatility of 4.07% compared to WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF (WTMU) at 0.74%. This indicates that ZTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WTMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZTAX	WTMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	0.74%	+3.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.96%	1.77%	+20.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.32%	2.22%	+24.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.84%	4.76%	+22.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.84%	4.76%	+22.08%

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZTAX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is higher than WTMU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZTAX vs. WTMU - Dividend Comparison

ZTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than WTMU's 2.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
WTMU WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal ETF	2.98%	2.15%	0.00%	0.00%
ZTAX X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF	4.56%	4.58%	4.55%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZTAX and WTMU in my portfolio?

ZTAX and WTMU have a correlation of -0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZTAX or WTMU?

ZTAX has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to WTMU (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZTAX dropped -15.33% vs WTMU's -4.24%.

Which ETF is better, ZTAX or WTMU?

On 1-year performance, ZTAX leads with 6.21% vs 5.96% for WTMU. On fees, WTMU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, WTMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZTAX or WTMU?

Over the 1-year period, ZTAX has performed better with a 6.21% return vs 5.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZTAX or WTMU?

WTMU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for ZTAX.

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

ZTAX has the higher dividend yield at 4.56%, compared with 2.98% for WTMU.

What is the main difference between ZTAX and WTMU?

They also come from different issuers: X-Square and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 1.14% for ZTAX and 0.25% for WTMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WTMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 0.24), 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.