TAFL vs TXXI
AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF vs BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF
Which is better, TAFL or TXXI?
Nearly the same fund. TAFL costs less.
TAFL has a lower expense ratio. TXXI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | TAFL | TXXI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $60M | $38M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.37% | 3.64% |
| Holdings | 326 | 164 |
| YTD Return | -4.38% | -2.69%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.64% | -1.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.3% | 4.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1% | -5.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $9,955 | $10,156Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | BondBloxx |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | Mar 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 13, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.6 years).
TAFL vs TXXI 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
TAFL vs TXXI Performance
AB Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF (TAFL) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF (TXXI) is an ETF from BondBloxx. Over the past year TAFL returned -3.64% while TXXI returned -1.88%. Year to date, TAFL is down 4.38% versus a loss of 2.69% for TXXI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TAFL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.3% compared with 4.5% for TXXI. 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 -8.1% for TAFL and -5.9% for TXXI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TAFL charges 0.28% per year while TXXI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $35 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TAFL currently yields 4.37% against 3.64% for TXXI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 68 holdings in TAFL and 86 in TXXI, totalling 50.6% and 42.8% 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, 3 positions appear in both.
3 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in TAFL and 86 in TXXI, against full books of 326 and 164.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TAFL | Weight in TXXI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY NYCGEN 5 05/01/20NEW YORK NY CITY TRANSITIONAL NYCGEN 05/50 FIXED 5 | 1.51% | 0.47% | 1.04% |
| AZ SALAGR 5 01/01/20Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District 5 01/01/2044 | 1.55% | 0.40% | 1.15% |
| KY KYSPWR 01/01/2055Kentucky Inc Ky Pub Energy Auth Gas Suplly Rev Ref | 1.15% | 0.65% | 0.50% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TAFL and TXXI 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 is cheaper, TAFL or TXXI?
TAFL has an expense ratio of 0.28% while TXXI charges 0.35%. TAFL is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TAFL or TXXI?
Over the past year TAFL returned -3.64% vs -1.88% for TXXI, so TXXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), TAFL annualized -0.28% vs +0.97% for TXXI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TAFL or TXXI?
TAFL has been the more volatile fund at 6.3% annualized versus 4.5% for TXXI. Worst drawdown: TAFL -8.1% vs TXXI -5.9%.
Should I hold both TAFL and TXXI?
TAFL and TXXI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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, TAFL or TXXI?
TAFL yields 4.37% while TXXI yields 3.64%, so TAFL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TXXI better than TAFL?
TAFL has a lower expense ratio. TXXI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.