FMB vs. MEAR
FMB (First Trust Managed Municipal ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FMB returned 2.35%/yr vs 1.78%/yr for MEAR. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FMB charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.
Performance
FMB vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FMB achieves a 1.86% return, which is significantly higher than MEAR's 1.02% return. Over the past 10 years, FMB has outperformed MEAR with an annualized return of 2.35%, while MEAR has yielded a comparatively lower 1.78% annualized return.
FMB
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.71%
- YTD
- 1.86%
- 6M
- 2.34%
- 1Y
- 6.91%
- 3Y*
- 3.95%
- 5Y*
- 0.74%
- 10Y*
- 2.35%
MEAR
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- YTD
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 1.28%
- 1Y
- 3.23%
- 3Y*
- 3.55%
- 5Y*
- 2.42%
- 10Y*
- 1.78%
FMB vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FMB First Trust Managed Municipal ETF | 1.86% | 3.73% | 1.94% | 6.31% | -9.91% | 2.43% | 4.44% | 8.25% | 0.89% | 7.22% |
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.02% | 3.76% | 3.40% | 3.93% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 1.18% | 1.91% | 1.63% | 1.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between FMB and MEAR is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2015 | 0.19 |
The correlation between FMB and MEAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.31 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FMB vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank
FMB
MEAR
FMB vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Managed Municipal ETF (FMB) 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.
| FMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.88 | -0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.54 | 6.93 | -4.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.12 | 28.45 | -19.33 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.62 | 3.78 | -1.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 | 2.47 | -2.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 1.18 | -0.66 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.67 | 1.11 | -0.44 |
Drawdowns
FMB vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FMB drawdown since its inception was -14.16%, which is greater than MEAR's maximum drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FMB and MEAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.16% | -2.68% | -11.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -0.47% | -2.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.76% | -0.86% | -3.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.16% | -1.12% | -13.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.16% | -2.68% | -11.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.42% | -0.04% | -0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.61% | -0.19% | -2.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.76% | 0.11% | +0.65% |
Volatility
FMB vs. MEAR - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Managed Municipal ETF (FMB) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) at 0.24%. This indicates that FMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.88% | 0.24% | +0.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.91% | 0.61% | +1.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.67% | 0.86% | +1.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.71% | 0.98% | +2.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.55% | 1.52% | +3.03% |
FMB vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FMB has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than MEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
FMB vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison
FMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.50%, more than MEAR's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FMB First Trust Managed Municipal ETF | 3.50% | 3.37% | 3.22% | 2.98% | 2.47% | 1.96% | 2.19% | 2.47% | 2.58% | 2.49% | 2.93% | 3.07% |
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
FMB and MEAR have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FMB has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to MEAR (0.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FMB dropped -14.16% vs MEAR's -2.68%.
On 10-year performance, FMB leads with 2.35% vs 1.78% for MEAR. On fees, MEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, MEAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FMB has performed better with a 2.35% return vs 1.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for FMB.
FMB has the higher dividend yield at 3.50%, compared with 2.84% for MEAR.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for FMB and 0.25% for MEAR.
MEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 2.62), 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.
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