KTF vs SCMB
DWS Municipal Income Trust vs Schwab Municipal Bond ETF
Which is better, KTF or SCMB?
Each has led over a different period.
KTF led over 3Y and the full window, SCMB over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | SCMB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.03% |
| AUM | $321M | $3.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.36% | 3.74% |
| Holdings | 232 | 7,278 |
| YTD Return | -6.11% | -3.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.53% | -2.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.12%Best | +2.76% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.77% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9% | 6.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.7% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $12,137Best | $11,042 |
| Fund Family | DWS | Charles Schwab Investment Mangement |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Oct 20, 1988 | Oct 11, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4 years).
KTF vs SCMB 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 4 years both funds cover.
KTF vs SCMB Performance
DWS Municipal Income Trust (KTF) is an ETF from DWS and Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Investment Mangement. Over the past year KTF returned -5.53% while SCMB returned -2.05%. Year to date, KTF is down 6.11% versus a loss of 3.06% for SCMB.
Over three years, KTF compounded at +9.12% per year against +2.76% for SCMB. Across the full 4-year window we track, KTF has the edge at +4.96% annualized vs +2.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 6.2% for SCMB. 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 -17.7% for KTF and -6.7% for SCMB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 105 holdings in KTF and 2,477 in SCMB, totalling 40.7% and 23.7% 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, 42 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, KTF as of Jul 31, 2026 and SCMB as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
42 positions in common, counted across the 105 positions we hold weights for in KTF and 2,477 in SCMB, against full books of 232 and 7,278.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KTF | Weight in SCMB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY NYCGEN 4.25 05/01New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue 4.25 05/01/2054 | 1.72% | 0.01% | 1.71% |
| NY NYCGEN 08/01/2044City Of New York | 1.64% | 0.02% | 1.62% |
| NY NYSDEV 4 03/15/20Ny State Ur D 4% 3/15/2045 | 1.52% | 0.00% | 1.52% |
| TX LAMSCD 4 02/15/20Lamar Consolidated Independent School District 4 02/15/2053 | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.96% |
| AZ SALAGR 5 01/01/20Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement And Power District, Arizona, Electric System Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A 5 01/01/2054 | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.96% |
| NC NCSTRN 5 01/01/20North Carolina Turnpike Authority 5 01/01/2058 | 0.94% | 0.02% | 0.92% |
| TX NRTTRN 5 01/01/20North Texas Tollway Authority 0.05 01/01/2048 | 0.88% | 0.00% | 0.88% |
| TX PASSCD 4.25 02/15Pasadena Independent School District, Harris County, Texas, General Obligation Bonds, School Building Series 2023 | 0.86% | 0.01% | 0.85% |
| TX JUDSCD 4 02/01/20Judson Independent School District | 0.83% | 0.01% | 0.82% |
| FL MIATRN 4 07/01/20Miami-dade (county Of), Fl, Series 2020 B, Rb | 0.83% | 0.01% | 0.82% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KTF and SCMB 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 SCMB?
Over the past year KTF returned -5.53% vs -2.05% for SCMB, so SCMB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), KTF annualized +4.96% vs +2.51% for SCMB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KTF or SCMB?
KTF has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 6.2% for SCMB. Worst drawdown: KTF -17.7% vs SCMB -6.7%.
Should I hold both KTF and SCMB?
KTF and SCMB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, KTF or SCMB?
KTF yields 9.36% while SCMB yields 3.74%, so KTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCMB better than KTF?
KTF led over 3Y and the full window, SCMB over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.