KTF vs MUST
DWS Municipal Income Trust vs Columbia Multi-Sector Municipal Income ETF
Which is better, KTF or MUST?
Each has led over a different period.
KTF led over 3Y, MUST over 1Y, 5Y and the full window.
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
| Metric | KTF | MUST |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.23% |
| AUM | $321M | $509M |
| Dividend Yield | 9.36% | 3.59% |
| Holdings | 232 | 1,292 |
| YTD Return | -6.11% | -4.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.53% | -2.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.12%Best | +2.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.77% | -0.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9% | 6.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.4% | -13.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,146 | $9,816Best |
| Fund Family | DWS | Columbia Threadneedle Investments |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Oct 20, 1988 | Oct 10, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8 years).
KTF vs MUST 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 8 years both funds cover.
KTF vs MUST Performance
DWS Municipal Income Trust (KTF) is an ETF from DWS and Columbia Multi-Sector Municipal Income ETF (MUST) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Over the past year KTF returned -5.53% while MUST returned -2.87%. Year to date, KTF is down 6.11% versus a loss of 4.34% for MUST.
Over three years, KTF compounded at +9.12% per year against +2.83% for MUST; over five years the annualized figures are -1.77% and -0.37% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, MUST has the edge at +1.36% annualized vs +1.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 6.2% for MUST. 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 -35.4% for KTF and -13.8% for MUST. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 105 holdings in KTF and 356 in MUST, totalling 40.7% and 52.2% 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, 15 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, KTF as of Jul 31, 2026 and MUST as of Oct 3, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
15 positions in common, counted across the 105 positions we hold weights for in KTF and 356 in MUST, against full books of 232 and 1,292.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KTF | Weight in MUST | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO COSMED 4 08/01/20Colorado Health Facilities Authority 4 08/01/2044 | 1.69% | 0.07% | 1.62% |
| TX HOUAPT 4.5 07/01/City Of Houston Tx Airport System Revenue 4.5 01-July-2053 Sub | 0.87% | 0.16% | 0.71% |
| TX NRTTRN 5 01/01/20North Texas Tollway Authority 0.05 01/01/2048 | 0.88% | 0.11% | 0.77% |
| MI MISFIN 4 02/15/20Michigan Fin Au(Mc) 4% 2/15/47 | 0.66% | 0.16% | 0.50% |
| NJ NJSTRN 4 06/15/20New Jersey St Transn Tr Fd Aut 4% Jun 15, 2050 | 0.56% | 0.05% | 0.51% |
| ID IDSMED 5.25 03/01Id Hlth Facs Auth-A | 0.29% | 0.25% | 0.04% |
| IL MPNFAC 0 12/15/20Met Pier Exposition Auth Il Mpnfac 12/51 Zerocpnoid 0 | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| NJ NJSTRN 5 06/15/20New Jersey St Transn Tr Fd Aut 5% Jun 15, 2046 | 0.38% | 0.14% | 0.24% |
| NY MTATRN 5 11/15/20Met Transprtn Auth Ny Revenue 11/15/2052 | 0.37% | 0.11% | 0.26% |
| NY NYTTRN 5.62 04/01New York Transportation Development Corporation, Special Facility Revenue Bonds, Delta Air Lines, Inc. - Laguardia Airport Terminals C&D Redevelopment 5.625 05-12-2027 | 0.25% | 0.20% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KTF and MUST you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which performed better, KTF or MUST?
Over the past year KTF returned -5.53% vs -2.87% for MUST, so MUST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), KTF annualized +1.17% vs +1.36% for MUST. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KTF or MUST?
KTF has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 6.2% for MUST. Worst drawdown: KTF -35.4% vs MUST -13.8%.
Should I hold both KTF and MUST?
KTF and MUST have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, KTF or MUST?
KTF yields 9.36% while MUST yields 3.59%, so KTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MUST better than KTF?
KTF led over 3Y, MUST over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.