MFS Active Core Plus Bond ETF (MFSB) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MFSB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MFSB
MFSB charges 0.34% annually. There are 15 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 117.00M | Dec 2025 | MFSB vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 42.27B | Jun 2014 | MFSB vs IUSB | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 278.83M | Nov 2016 | MFSB vs IMTB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 720.18M | Jun 2020 | MFSB vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | MFSB vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MFSB
MFSB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 41. There are 16 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 87.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 87 | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | MFSB vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 87 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | MFSB vs BNDS | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 66 | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | MFSB vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 64 | — | Mar 2025 | MFSB vs CFIT | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 59 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | MFSB vs SJCP |
Top Performing MFSB Alternatives (YTD)
MFSB is at 0.84% YTD. There are 10 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 5.95%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 5.95% | — | Mar 2025 | MFSB vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.80% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | MFSB vs BNDS | |
| Monarch Ambassador Income ETF | 1.70% | 188.06M | Mar 2021 | MFSB vs MAMB | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.50% | 178.17M | Aug 2022 | MFSB vs BNDI | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.46% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | MFSB vs BYLD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MFSB
MFSB has 3.59% 1-year volatility. There are 17 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.59%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.59% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | MFSB vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.51% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | MFSB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.77% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | MFSB vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.09% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | MFSB vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.26% | 719.37M | Mar 2022 | MFSB vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MFSB
MFSB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.71%. There are 18 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | MFSB vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | MFSB vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | MFSB vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | MFSB vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | MFSB vs MBS |
Other ETFs from MFS
The 8 most viewed MFS ETFs shown here include MFSV, MFSI, MFSM and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $990M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFS Active Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 51 | 7.70% | — | Dec 2024 | MFSB vs MFSV | |
| MFS Active International ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 37 | 6.63% | 989.93M | Dec 2024 | MFSB vs MFSI | |
| MFS Active Intermediate Muni Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 77 | 2.07% | 83.35M | Dec 2024 | MFSB vs MFSM | |
| MFS Blended Research Core Equity ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | — | 11.89% | — | Oct 2025 | MFSB vs BRCE | |
| MFS Active Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 32 | 6.80% | 271.83M | Dec 2024 | MFSB vs MFSG | |
| MFS Active Mid Cap ETF | Mid Cap Blend Equities | — | 3.61% | — | Sep 2025 | MFSB vs MMID | |
| MFS Blended Research Emerging Markets Equity ETF | Emerging Markets Diversified | — | — | 24.77M | Mar 2026 | MFSB vs BREE | |
| MFS Blended Research International Equity ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | — | 15.93% | — | Oct 2025 | MFSB vs BRIE |
Often Compared With MFSB
Investors most often compare MFSB with COMT, BCD, DBA. These 13 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MFSB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MFSB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MFSB with funds that move differently
MFS Active Core Plus Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MFSB.
Explore MFSB Diversifiers