ESGB vs. MEAR

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESGB (IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by IndexIQ, while MEAR is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. At a correlation of -0.55, they often move in opposite directions. ESGB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.

Performance

ESGB vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ESGB

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MEAR

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 3.16%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESGB vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	-0.18%
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF	0.12%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGB and MEAR is -0.55, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2026	-0.55

Return for Risk

ESGB vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ESGB

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

MEAR

MEAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
MEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
MEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
MEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
MEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ESGB vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ESGB	MEAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.71	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	5.93	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.86	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	6.80	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	27.85	—

Drawdowns

ESGB vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGB drawdown since its inception was -0.64%, smaller than the maximum MEAR drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGB and MEAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGB	MEAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.64%	-2.68%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.47%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.86%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-1.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-2.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	0.00%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.38%	-0.19%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.11%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESGB	MEAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.21%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.61%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.10%	0.86%	+3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.10%	0.99%	+3.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.10%	1.51%	+2.59%

ESGB vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than MEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGB vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison

ESGB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MEAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGB IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF	2.84%	2.95%	3.44%	3.30%	0.88%	0.30%	0.90%	1.57%	1.36%	1.01%	0.81%	0.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGB and MEAR in my portfolio?

ESGB and MEAR have a correlation of -0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ESGB or MEAR?

On fees, MEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGB or MEAR?

MEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ESGB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGB or MEAR?

MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 0.00% for ESGB.

What is the main difference between ESGB and MEAR?

ESGB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while MEAR is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ESGB and 0.25% for MEAR.