FLUD vs. NEAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLUD (Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF) and NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLUD is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while NEAR is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLUD returned 3.63%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for NEAR. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLUD charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for NEAR.

Performance

FLUD vs. NEAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF (FLUD) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLUD achieves a 1.53% return, which is significantly higher than NEAR's 0.73% return.

FLUD

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 5.33%
• 5Y*: 3.63%
• 10Y*: —

NEAR

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 5.64%
• 5Y*: 3.86%
• 10Y*: 2.85%

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

FLUD vs. NEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FLUD Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.53%	5.36%	5.44%	5.95%	0.16%	0.09%	0.77%
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	0.73%	5.90%	5.09%	7.42%	0.41%	0.32%	0.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FLUD and NEAR is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2020	0.23

FLUD vs. NEAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLUD	NEAR
Financial Services	13.9%	0.1%
Industrials	2.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Healthcare	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.9%	-
Communication Services	0.9%	-0.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	-
Utilities	0.2%	-
Technology	0.1%	-
Energy	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

FLUD vs. NEAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLUD

FLUD Risk / Return Rank: 92
FLUD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FLUD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FLUD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
FLUD Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FLUD Martin Ratio Rank: 97

NEAR

NEAR Risk / Return Rank: 87
NEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
NEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
NEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
NEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
NEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

FLUD vs. NEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF (FLUD) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). 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.

	FLUD	NEAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	3.18	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.42	5.07	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.66	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.55	3.81	+6.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	41.82	17.49	+24.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLUD vs. NEAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLUD Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the NEAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLUD and NEAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FLUD	NEAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.76	3.18	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.73	2.90	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.59	1.09	+1.50

Drawdowns

FLUD vs. NEAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLUD drawdown since its inception was -1.66%, smaller than the maximum NEAR drawdown of -9.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLUD and NEAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLUD	NEAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.66%	-9.61%	+7.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.44%	-1.13%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.59%	-1.16%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.66%	-1.32%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.24%	-0.16%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.11%	0.25%	-0.14%

Volatility

FLUD vs. NEAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF (FLUD) is 0.33%, while iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) has a volatility of 0.37%. This indicates that FLUD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLUD	NEAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.33%	0.37%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.74%	1.00%	-0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.68%	1.36%	+0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.34%	1.34%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.26%	2.50%	-1.24%

FLUD vs. NEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLUD has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAR's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLUD vs. NEAR - Dividend Comparison

FLUD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, less than NEAR's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLUD Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.27%	4.51%	4.97%	4.72%	1.39%	0.92%	0.93%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.44%	4.54%	5.00%	4.59%	1.78%	0.76%	1.53%	2.69%	2.25%	1.52%	1.07%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLUD and NEAR in my portfolio?

FLUD and NEAR have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLUD or NEAR?

NEAR has higher volatility (0.37%) compared to FLUD (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLUD dropped -1.66% vs NEAR's -9.61%.

Which ETF is better, FLUD or NEAR?

On 5-year performance, NEAR leads with 3.86% vs 3.63% for FLUD. On fees, FLUD is cheaper at 0.15% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLUD or NEAR?

Over the 5-year period, NEAR has performed better with a 3.86% return vs 3.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLUD or NEAR?

FLUD is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for NEAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLUD or NEAR?

NEAR has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 4.27% for FLUD.

What is the main difference between FLUD and NEAR?

FLUD is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while NEAR is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for FLUD and 0.25% for NEAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 2.76), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.