EVSM vs KTF

EVSM vs KTF

Which is better, EVSM or KTF?

Each has led over a different period.

EVSM led over 1Y, KTF over the full window.

Higher Returns: split

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEVSMKTF
Expense Ratio0.19%-
AUM$1.0B$321M
Dividend Yield3.06%9.36%
Holdings784232
YTD Return+0.32%Best-6.11%
1Y Return+0.81%Best-5.53%
3Y Return (annualized)-+9.12%
5Y Return (annualized)--1.77%
Volatility (annualized)1.8%Best9.2%
Max Drawdown-2.0%Best-12.3%
$10,000 over 2.6 years$10,736$10,938Best
Fund FamilyEaton VanceDWS
CategoryTax PreferredTax Preferred
StyleMunicipal BondMunicipal Bond
InceptionMar 25, 2024Oct 20, 1988

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 25, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.6 years).

EVSM vs KTF growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.6 years both funds cover.

Compare EVSM against instead:EVSM vs SPYEVSM vs QQQEVSM vs VOOEVSM vs VTIKTF against:KTF vs VXUS

EVSM vs KTF Performance

Eaton Vance Short Duration Municipal Income ETF (EVSM) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and DWS Municipal Income Trust (KTF) is an ETF from DWS. Over the past year EVSM returned +0.81% while KTF returned -5.53%. Year to date, EVSM is up 0.32% versus a loss of 6.11% for KTF.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

KTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.2% compared with 1.8% for EVSM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.0% for EVSM and -12.3% for KTF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 97 holdings in EVSM and 105 in KTF, totalling 29.5% and 40.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5 positions appear in both.

The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, EVSM as of Oct 1, 2026 and KTF as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

5 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in EVSM and 105 in KTF, against full books of 784 and 232.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in EVSMWeight in KTFDifference
NY NYCUTL 06/15/2048New York City Ny Muni Wtr Fin 0% 06/15/20480.88%0.15%0.73%
TX NRTTRN 5 01/01/20North Texas Tollway Authority 5 01/01/20270.11%0.88%0.77%
NY NYSHGR 5 02/15/20New York State Dormitory Authority 5 02/15/20320.28%0.57%0.29%
NY MTATRN 5 11/15/20Metropolitan Transportation Authority (green Bonds), Series 2020, Ref. Rb0.28%0.37%0.09%
AL BBEUTL 06/01/2049Black Belt Energy Gas Dist Ala 5.5% Feb 01, 20290.27%0.16%0.11%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of EVSM and KTF you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

EVSMKTF

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which performed better, EVSM or KTF?

Over the past year EVSM returned +0.81% vs -5.53% for KTF, so EVSM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, EVSM or KTF?

KTF has been the more volatile fund at 9.2% annualized versus 1.8% for EVSM. Worst drawdown: EVSM -2.0% vs KTF -12.3%.

Should I hold both EVSM and KTF?

EVSM and KTF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, EVSM or KTF?

EVSM yields 3.06% while KTF yields 9.36%, so KTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is KTF better than EVSM?

EVSM led over 1Y, KTF over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.