A comparative analysis taxable municipal bonds and corporate bonds by CCM

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS:
TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BONDS
AND CORPORATE BONDS
JUNE 2010

Table of Contents
Introduction/Hypothesis ................................................1
A traditional balanced investment strategy of equity and fixed income securities
can produce unexpected positive correlation of returns and excess volatility.
Allocation to corporate bonds in both passive and active fixed income strategies exposes
investors to the same cyclical factors that impact their equity holdings. Correlation may
be reduced by decreasing corporate credit exposure in favor of taxable municipal
bonds, which often possess comparable income and credit quality with lower
volatility and correlation of returns.
Potential Flaws in Balanced Portfolios.............................2
An essential theory of portfolio management is combining a set of assets that
embodies an investor’s risk tolerance while maximizing total returns. Fixed income
investments are traditionally utilized,in part,as a perceived buffer against the riskier
investments in the portfolio (i.e., equities), especially in times of extreme market
volatility. This section will uncover how excessive exposure to the corporate bond
sector reduces the diversification benefits of fixed income securities.
Negative Diversification Effects ......................................3
In this section,we explore the correlation coefficients between various indices over
a five-year time horizon and during periods of extreme market volatility (2008 and
2009).We also take a closer look at how the referenced indices are correlated to the
equity market when equities produced negative returns — periods in which the
investor would normally expect their fixed income allocation to mitigate portfolio
losses.
Taxable Municipal Bonds ...............................................5
We will introduce taxable municipal bonds as a surrogate for corporate bonds and
take a closer look at how both of these sectors have performed recently. We will
also explore the correlation coefficient exhibited between corporate bonds and
taxable municipal bonds in relation to the equity market over the past four years and
during periods of extreme market volatility (2008 and 2009),as well as discuss recent
trends in the taxable municipal market.
Credit Quality Considerations........................................8
This section provides a brief overview of average credit exposure,cumulative default
rates, and ratings stability between taxable municipal bonds and corporate bonds;
historically, the default rates on taxable municipal bonds are much lower than
corporate bonds.
Conclusion.....................................................................9

1
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS: TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BONDS AND CORPORATE BONDS
Introduction
This white paper will identify an opportunity for
investors to mitigate exposure to the corporate
capital structure by investing in taxable municipal
bonds.We will discuss how excessive exposure to the
corporate bond sector reduces the diversification
benefits of fixed income securities. This point
becomes evident as we explore the correlation
coefficients between major indices and core fixed
income managers over a five-year time horizon and
during periods of extreme market volatility (2008
and 2009). We then take a closer look at how the
referenced indices and many core fixed income
managers are more positively correlated to the
equity market when equities produced negative
returns — periods in which the investor would
normally expect their fixed income allocation to
mitigate portfolio losses. We further support the
inclusion of taxable municipal bonds in a balanced
portfolio as we compare the sector's standard
deviation to that of the corporate debt sector. In the
following pages, we will show how taxable
municipal bonds have exhibited a substantially lower
standard deviation during heightened volatility
(2008 and 2009),as well as over the four-year period
ended March 31, 2010. Finally, we provide a brief
overview of both sectors’credit profiles by analyzing
average credit exposure,cumulative default rates,and
ratings stability.
HYPOTHESIS:
A traditional balanced investment
strategy of equity and fixed
income securities can produce
unexpected positive correlation
of returns and excess volatility.
Allocation to corporate bonds in
both passive and active fixed
income strategies exposes
investors to the same cyclical
factors that impact their equity
holdings. Correlation may be
reduced by decreasing corporate
credit exposure in favor of
taxable municipal bonds, which
often possess comparable
income and credit quality with
lower volatility and correlation
of returns.

2
Potential Flaws in
Balanced Portfolios
A fundamental theory of portfolio
management is to determine the
appropriate asset allocation in
proportion to the investors’ risk
tolerance, and then select and
monitor suitable investments on an
ongoing basis. Asset allocation
enables investors to diversify among
different investment categories to
reduce risk.This balanced portfolio
approach is specifically designed to
provide both income – generally
from intermediate-term investment
grade fixed income securities – and capital
appreciation from shares of common stock.
Due to their perceived lower risk and lower
correlation to equities, investment grade bonds are
traditionally used as a hedge against equity positions
in balanced portfolios. However, investors may be
exposing themselves to far greater fluctuations in
returns since their portfolio will have higher
exposure to the corporate capital structure than
intended.
Actively managed core fixed income portfolios tend
to overweight corporate bond exposure relative to the
Barclays Capital U.S.Aggregate Bond Index (Barclays
Aggregate) to achieve higher portfolio yield. For
example, at the end of the first quarter 2010, the 25
largest Core Fixed Income products reporting
corporate bond exposure had an allocation of 32.0%
to corporate bonds, compared to the Barclays
Aggregate which had an 18.5% allocation to corporate
bonds (Exhibit 1). For the five-year period, the 25
largest Core Fixed Income products reporting
corporate bond exposure had an average weighting
of 23.3% to corporate bonds. For the same time
period, the Barclays Aggregate’s corporate bond
exposure was 19.0%. This is an approximate
overweight of 22.5% (Exhibit 1) which shows how
active investment strategies can exhibit less
diversification away from the corporate credit
structure than perhaps otherwise acknowledged.
Exhibit 1:The 25 largest Core Fixed Income products reporting corporate bond
exposure.
Excessive exposure to the corporate
bond sector reduces the
diversification benefits of fixed
income securities.
Source: eVestment Alliance as of March 31, 2010; Data pulled 4/27/10.

3
Negative
Diversification Effects
This overexposure to the
corporate capital structure can
produce unintended and
negative diversification effects in
balanced portfolios over the
longer term.For example,for the
five-year period ended March
31, 2010, the Barclays Aggregate
was positively correlated to the
S&P 500, the primary stock
market benchmark, with a
correlation coefficient of 0.22
(Exhibit 2).Active fixed income
portfolios, as measured by
Morningstar’s Intermediate-Term Bond Category
(“Morningstar”) and the eVestment Alliance Core
Fixed Income Universe (“eVestment Alliance”),were
more positively correlated to stocks during this time
period,with correlation coefficients of 0.55 and 0.32,
respectively.Balanced portfolio strategy theorizes that
fixed income allocations should insulate investors’
portfolios against erratic swings up or down in the
equity markets.However,this positive correlation for
both actively- and passively-managed bond portfolios
limited the anticipated diversification benefits of
investors’ allocation to bonds.
This positive correlation is even more prevalent during
time periods when stocks
produced negative returns. As
illustrated in Exhibit 3,during the
months when stocks produced
negative returns over the past five
years, active and passive fixed
income portfolios were even
more highly correlated with
equities.
Exhibit 2: Both actively- and passively-managed bond portfolios exhibited a positive
correlation coefficient to equities for the five-year period ended 3/31/10, thereby limiting
the anticipated diversification benefits of investors’ allocation to bonds.
Exhibit 3: When stocks were negative,both actively- and passively-managed bond portfolios
exhibited higher correlation,providing less diversification benefits from their bond portfolios.

4
Negative Diversification
Effects During Periods
of Extreme Market
Volatility
In periods of extreme volatility,such
as 2008, the negative diversification
effects of an increased exposure to
corporate bonds in a balanced
portfolio is even more pronounced.
In 2008, active fixed income
managers (as measured by
Morningstar's Intermediate-Term
Bond Category) returned an average
of negative 4.9% with a positive
correlation coefficient of 0.62.
During the same period, the S&P 500 returned
negative 37.0% (Exhibit 4).
Following the near collapse of the financial markets
in 2008,the markets reversed course in 2009.Equities
rebounded sharply, posting total returns of 26.5% at
year-end. Likewise, corporate bonds ended the year
up 18.7%. Bond portfolios that were highly
correlated to stocks boded well from a total return
perspective when equities posted such strong
performance in 2009. For example, Morningstar's
Intermediate-Term Bond Category had total returns
of 14.0% with a positive correlation coefficient of
0.76 (Exhibit 5).
Thus,an increased weighting in corporate bonds can
lead to heightened volatility when
investors need to rely more heavily
on their fixed income allocation to
hedge against downturns in the
equity markets. This can decrease
the effectiveness of an investor's
fixed income allocation and in turn,
hinder a balanced portfolio's returns
over the longer term.
Exhibit 4: Overexposure to corporate bonds led to negative diversification effects in
2008, a period of extreme market volatility.
Exhibit 5: Overexposure to corporate bonds led to even higher positive correlation in
2009, a period of extreme market volatility.

5
Taxable Municipal Bonds
Taxable municipal bonds,a traditionally
overlooked sector of the market,are an
ideal substitute to corporate bonds in a
core fixed income strategy. Taxable
municipal bonds are taxable debt
obligations issued by a state or local
government entity, an outgrowth of
the tax reform act of 1976 (which
restricted the issuance of traditional tax-exempt
securities). Taxable municipal bonds are subject to
federal taxes, but in some instances are exempt from
state and local taxes. In 2009, Build America Bonds
(BABs) were introduced by the ObamaAdministration
as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act to provide needed capital to state and local
governments at lower borrowing costs. Under the
BAB program,a federal subsidy of 35% is available on
a taxable bond's interest payments.
Taxable municipal bonds, including BABs, offer yields
more comparable to those of other taxable sectors,such
as corporate bonds or bonds issued by U.S.
governmental agencies, than to those of tax-exempt
municipal bonds.
Their absence or extremely small weighting in any
major bond index provides opportunities for bond
investors to increase income versus the Barclays
Aggregate. For example, Exhibit 6 compares average
yields on selected Build America Bonds to mid- to
long-maturity non-financial corporate bonds with
similar credit ratings.Certain BAB deals may provide
significant pickups to corporate bond yields.
Taxable municipal bonds offer greater
diversification to equity returns
compared to corporate bonds, while
exhibiting lower volatility and similar
returns. For the four-year period ended
March 31,2010,the volatility of returns
(standard deviation) for taxable
municipal bonds, as measured by the
Intermediate-Term portion of the
Barclays Capital Taxable Municipal
Bond Index, was 4.7% compared to
6.5% for corporate bonds, as measured
by the Intermediate-Term portion of
Exhibit 6: Yields of selected large BAB deals vs. yields on non-financial corporate
comparables1 (yields as of March 5, 2010).
Exhibit 7: Taxable municipal bonds offer greater diversification benefits with a
much lower volatility and similar returns over a five-year period.
1 Average yield of non-financial corporate bonds within CITI BIG index that mature in more than 10 years and have similar rating
as stated BAB

6
the Barclays Capital Corporate
Bond subsector. Total returns for
taxable municipal bonds were
6.2% versus 6.3% for corporate
bonds,an underperformance of 10
basis points or just 2% versus the
increased volatility of approximately
40% for the same time period
(Exhibit 7).
In 2008, taxable municipal
bonds exhibited a correlation
coefficient of -0.06 and standard
deviation of 6.8% versus a
positive correlation coefficient of
0.52 and standard deviation of
10.9% for corporate bonds. From a total return
standpoint, taxable municipal bonds produced
positive returns of 1.5% and corporate bonds
returned negative 4.8%, magnifying the correlation
of corporate bonds to the corporate capital
structure (Exhibit 8). During this period of
extreme market volatility, taxable municipal bonds
would have been an enhancement over corporate
bonds to reduce volatility in a core fixed income
portfolio. Passive asset allocation models tied to
benchmark bond indices would have led investors
to excess exposure to the corporate credit sector.
In 2009, when the risk trade
reversed and there was a flight
from quality, corporate bonds
returned 18.6% as equities rose
nearly 26.5%. Taxable municipal
bonds continued to exhibit a lower
correlation coefficient and less
volatility compared to corporate
bonds returning approximately
8.5% (Exhibit 9).
Exhibit 8: Taxable municipal bonds offer greater diversification benefits in times of
extreme market volatility as evidenced in 2008.
Exhibit 9: Taxable municipal bonds offer greater diversification benefits in times of
extreme market volatility as evidenced in 2009.

April 1, 2013, the supply of taxable municipal bonds
is likely to continue to grow. In addition, as crossover
buyers have become more active in this sector, credit
spreads have tightened which will ultimately lower the
borrowing costs for municipalities.
7
Recent Trends
Since the inception of the Build
America Bond Program, more than
$90 billion in local and state bond
issues have helped stabilize the
municipal credit markets. Several
BABs have already been included in
the Barclays Aggregate and helped
spur taxable municipal issuance to
$78.8 billion in 2009 from $25.9
billion in 2008.2
The SIFMA 2010 Municipal
Issuance Surveyforecasts total taxable
issuance to jump by 45% in 2010 due
to the introduction of several new taxable bonds in
2009,such as BABs. Suvey respondents also anticipate
a significant rise in tax credit municipal issuance,
particularly for tax credit BABs3 (Exhibit 10).Pending
the expected extension of the BAB program through
The SIFMA 2010 Municipal Issuance Survey
forecasts total taxable issuance to jump by 45% in
2010 due to the introduction of several new taxable
bonds in 2009, such as Build America Bonds.
2 Source: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Research Report Fourth Quarter 2009
3 The survey was conducted from November 9 – November 30, 2009.The forecasts discussed in the text and appearing in the
accompanying data tables are the median values of the individual member firms’ submissions, unless otherwise specified.
Exhibit 10: Taxable issuance is expected to jump by 45% in 2010.

8
Credit Quality
Considerations
Within an active fixed income portfolio,
corporate bonds are often added to
increase incremental income in the
portfolio. In addition, investors may
reach further out on the credit curve to
maximize yield. From a credit
perspective, municipal bonds exhibit a
stronger credit profile than their
corporate counterparts. In a study
conducted by Standard and Poor’s
(S&P) on the 15-year average
cumulative municipal and corporate
default rates, all rated bonds had
cumulative default rates of 0.2% for
municipal securities versus 12.6% for
corporate securities (Exhibit 11).
A recent report published by Citi Investment
Research &Analysis (CIRA) showed that in 2008 and
2009, only 27% of Aaa-rated municipal bonds which
experienced a ratings transition were either
downgraded or defaulted.This compares to 86% of
Aaa-rated corporate bonds over the same time period
(Exhibit 12).
In the near term, we anticipate the potential for
downgrades within municipal and taxable municipal
credit markets given the continued economic and
recessionary woes facing state and local
governments. However, despite these
economic effects, municipal credits,
including taxable bonds, still offer
investors tremendous opportunity
when evaluated appropriately.
Exhibit 12: In 2008 and 2009, only 27% of Aaa-rated municipal bonds which
experienced a ratings transition were either downgraded or defaulted.
Exhibit 11: Municipal bonds have exhibited a stronger credit profile than their
corporate counterparts.

9
Conclusion
Many investors underestimate their total exposure to
the corporate capital structure given their allocation
to corporate bonds in conjunction with equity
weightings. Even investors using the Barclays
Aggregate as a model for their asset allocation (i.e.,
passive investing) can be negatively impacted.
Relative to corporate bonds,taxable municipal bonds
have historically offered: similar returns, higher credit
quality and most importantly, lower volatility and greater
diversification. As part of a balanced portfolio, the
taxable municipal bond market can offer investors an
ideal surrogate to corporate bonds.

10
Glossary*
Balanced Portfolio – A method of portfolio allocation designed to provide both income and capital appreciation
while avoiding excessive risk.
Barclays Capital Taxable Municipal Index – Represents a rules-based, market-value weighted index
engineered for the long-term taxable bond market. For inclusion in the Index, bonds must be rated investment-
grade quality or better, have at least one year to maturity, have a coupon that is fixed rate, have an outstanding par
value of at least $7 million,and be issued as part of a transaction of at least $75 million.The Intermediate Municipal
subsector groups together securities with an average maturity between one to 10 years.The index has historical
data to January 2006.
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index – Represents securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and
dollar denominated.The index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components
for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. For
inclusion in the Index, securities must be rated investment-grade quality or better, have at least one year to
maturity, have a coupon that is fixed or changes according to a predetermined schedule and have at least $250
million par amount outstanding.The primary subsectors of the Index are:
U.S. Credit – Publicly issued U.S. corporate and specified foreign debentures and secured notes that
meet the specified maturity, liquidity, and quality requirements.To qualify, bonds must be SEC-
registered. This includes the U.S. Corporate subsector and Non-Corporate subsector. The
Intermediate Corporate subsector groups together securities with an average maturity between one
to 10 years.
U.S. Government – Securities included are those issued by the U.S.Government and include:
public obligations of the U.S.Treasury with a remaining maturity or one year or more; publicly
issued debt of U.S. Government agencies, quasi-federal corporations, and corporate or foreign
debt guaranteed by the U.S.Government.
U.S. Securitized – Comprised of:
U.S.Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) - Mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Ginnie Mae
(GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA), and Freddie Mac (FHLMC).The MBS Index is formed by
grouping the universe of over 600,000 individual fixed rate MBS pools into approximately 3,500
generic aggregates.
Asset-Backed Securities – Credit and charge cards; autos; and utility subsectors. Securities must be
investment grade,fixed rate with an average life of at least one year.Minimum deal size of at least
$500 million and $25 million tranche size.
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – Investment grade securities with a minimum deal size of
$500 million and a minimum tranche size of $25 million.Collateral for each transaction must be
new origination, originated specifically for securitization and transactions must be private label;
agency transactions are excluded.
Correlation Coefficient – A correlation coefficient is a number between -1 and 1 that measures the
co-movement (linear association) between two random variables.The lower the correlation coefficient,the greater
the diversification benefits.
eVestment Alliance Core Fixed Income Universe – All fixed income products that invest in High Quality Debt
(as rated by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s).Managers in this category will typically indicate a“Fixed Income Style
Emphasis” equal to Core and a “Product Duration Emphasis” equal to Core or Intermediate.
Morningstar’s Intermediate-Term Bond Category – A category of funds that focus on corporate,government,
foreign or other issues with an average duration of greater than, or equal to 3.5 years but less than or equal to six
years, or an average effective maturity of more than four years but less than 10 years.
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 – The S&P 500 is an index of 500 of the most widely held stocks on the New
York Stock Exchange.
Standard Deviation – A measure of the average deviations of a return series from its mean; often used as a risk
measure. A large standard deviation implies that there have been large swings or volatility in the manager’s return
series.
*Source: Barclays Live; CFA Institute; eVestment Alliance; and Morningstar.

2500 Weston Road, Suite 101 • Weston, Florida 33331
phone 954.217.7999 • fax 954.385.9299
www.ccmfixedincome.com
ABOUT COMMUNITY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
Established in 1998,Weston, Florida-based Community Capital Management is a fixed income manager and
a registered investment adviser with the SEC whose goal is to produce above-average, risk-adjusted returns,
capitalizing on its expertise within government-related subsectors of the bond market traditionally excluded
from the major bond indices.
Clients may also elect to use one or more optional secondary screens designed to identify bonds that target:
a predefined geographic area; a specific set of community and/or economic development initiatives (e.g.
“green”or “sustainable” design); and minority neighborhoods (defined by census tract data).
For more information, please visit www.ccmfixedincome.com or call 877-272-1977.
This white paper reflects the analysis and opinions of Community Capital Management as of May 2010.Because market
and economic conditions are often subject to rapid change, the analysis and opinions provided may change without notice.
The analysis and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice. References to particular securities, or types of
securities,are only for the limited purpose of illustrating general market or economic conditions,and are not recommendations
to buy or sell a security or an indication of the Community Capital Management’s holdings on behalf of its clients.
Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but no representation or warranty is made as to their completeness or
accuracy.Although historical data is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment
management philosophy. All investments are subject to certain risks.This publication is for investors and investment
consultants interested in the products available through Community Capital Management and its affiliates.Various account
minimums or other eligibility qualifications apply depending on the investment strategy or vehicle. Diversification does not
guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

A comparative analysis taxable municipal bonds and corporate bonds by CCM

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