iShares MBS Bond ETF (MBB) belongs to the Mortgage Backed Securities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MBB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MBB
MBB charges 0.06% annually. There are 3 ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 0.03% | — | Nov 2024 | MBB vs SMBS | |
| Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 0.04% | 17.10B | Nov 2009 | MBB vs VMBS | |
| SPDR Portfolio Mortgage Backed Bond ETF | 0.04% | 7.01B | Jan 2009 | MBB vs SPMB | |
| Simplify MBS ETF | 0.15% | 1.53B | Nov 2023 | MBB vs MTBA | |
| iShares GNMA Bond ETF | 0.15% | 425.03M | Feb 2012 | MBB vs GNMA |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MBB
MBB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 38. There are 15 ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | 96 | 297.39M | Nov 2013 | MBB vs FTSD | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | 91 | 6.35B | Nov 2014 | MBB vs LMBS | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 80 | 112.35M | Feb 2021 | MBB vs VABS | |
| First Trust TCW Securitized Plus ETF | 49 | 78.78M | Apr 2020 | MBB vs DEED | |
| PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-T... | 48 | — | Jul 1997 | MBB vs PMBS |
Top Performing MBB Alternatives (YTD)
MBB is at 0.02% YTD. There are 18 ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 6.03%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regan Fixed Rate MBS ETF | 6.03% | 13.94M | Apr 2025 | MBB vs MBSX | |
| Nuveen Securitized Income ETF | 2.21% | 178.50M | Sep 2025 | MBB vs NSCI | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 1.78% | 112.35M | Feb 2021 | MBB vs VABS | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | 1.33% | 6.35B | Nov 2014 | MBB vs LMBS | |
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | 1.10% | 297.39M | Nov 2013 | MBB vs FTSD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MBB
MBB has 4.43% 1-year volatility. There are 19 ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.28%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuveen Securitized Income ETF | 1.28% | 178.50M | Sep 2025 | MBB vs NSCI | |
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | 1.36% | 297.39M | Nov 2013 | MBB vs FTSD | |
| American Century Securitized Credit ETF | 1.44% | 19.95M | May 2026 | MBB vs ASEC | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 1.95% | 112.35M | Feb 2021 | MBB vs VABS | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | 1.96% | 6.35B | Nov 2014 | MBB vs LMBS |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MBB
MBB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.94%. There are 13 ETFs in the Mortgage Backed Securities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.45%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF | -0.45% | 297.39M | Nov 2013 | MBB vs FTSD | |
| Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | -0.98% | 112.35M | Feb 2021 | MBB vs VABS | |
| First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ET... | -1.43% | 6.35B | Nov 2014 | MBB vs LMBS | |
| FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | -2.17% | 89.04M | Sep 2014 | MBB vs MBSD | |
| iShares CMBS ETF | -2.44% | 473.70M | Feb 2012 | MBB vs CMBS |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $894B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.92% | 97.69B | May 2020 | MBB vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -29.06% | 46.82B | Jan 2024 | MBB vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 93 | 84.03% | 47.60B | Jul 2001 | MBB vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.46% | 894.38B | May 2000 | MBB vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 13 | -1.48% | 42.18B | Jul 2002 | MBB vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 86 | 12.23% | 42.05B | Jun 2014 | MBB vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 27 | -19.03% | 28.37B | Apr 2006 | MBB vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -7.29% | 60.94B | Jan 2005 | MBB vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 69 | 19.72% | 83.34B | May 2000 | MBB vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 10.93% | 33.36B | Mar 2008 | MBB vs ACWI |
Often Compared With MBB
Investors most often compare MBB with IEF, USMV, AGG. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MBB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MBB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MBB with funds that move differently
iShares MBS Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MBB.
Explore MBB Diversifiers