Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

VTEB

Market cap $39.7B

I rate both MUB and VTEB as buys, expecting capital appreciation from anticipated rate cuts to 3.25–3.5% by Q1 2026. VTEB's longer maturity profile positions it for higher performance as rates decline, making it my preferred pick for this rate-cut thesis. Both ETFs offer high credit quality, strong liquidity, and diversification, but recent returns have been weak due to delayed rate cuts.

Muni and corporate bonds trading activity has been reaching record levels through the first half of 2025 at the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). This certainly speaks to the attractiveness of both, which offer yield and strong fundamentals in the current market landscape.

Lauded for their yield, credit quality, and of course, their federal tax-free income, municipal bond benefits are also extending into the containment of tariff contagion. A pair of funds that income investors should consider are the Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) and the Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM).

The tax exempt status of municipal bonds could be in jeopardy as Congress mulls over whether to tax the income from these debt issues. In the meantime, Vanguard has eight ETFs to contemplate when looking to attain muni exposure.

Advisors and investors showed strong interest in actively managed ETFs and municipal bond products in June according to VettaFi sentiment. While industrywide flows strong support the former, we think the latter is similarly compelling.

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF offers diversified, tax-exempt income with a focus on high-quality, long-duration municipal bonds, appealing to high-net-worth investors seeking stability. The fund's low expense ratio and large asset base provide liquidity and cost efficiency, but total returns and distributions lag peer ETFs. Geographical concentration in New York, California, and Texas introduces some credit and weather-related risks, though overall credit quality remains high.

Even with the world on edge, with rising geopolitical tensions, uncertain interest rate moves and tech stocks showing some mood swings, ETF investors aren't running scared. They're doing something smarter: diversifying their bets.

VOO, SPY, IWM, BND and VTEB led ETF inflows last week as investors poured $22.7B into diverse fund categories.

According to Bond Buyer, municipal bond issuance grew in the month of May by 3.6% versus a year ago. It creates an opportunity for fixed income investors to get exposure if they haven't already via a fund like the Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB).

There could be a silver lining in the volatile clouds hovering above the bond markets. Investors may want to give municipal bonds a closer look given their sound fundamentals.