FMB vs. VTES
FMB (First Trust Managed Municipal ETF) and VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. FMB is actively managed, while VTES is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FMB returned 3.96%/yr vs 3.23%/yr for VTES. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FMB charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VTES.
Performance
FMB vs. VTES - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FMB achieves a 1.78% return, which is significantly higher than VTES's 0.66% return.
FMB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.70%
- YTD
- 1.78%
- 6M
- 2.21%
- 1Y
- 7.15%
- 3Y*
- 3.96%
- 5Y*
- 0.72%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
VTES
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.29%
- YTD
- 0.66%
- 6M
- 1.02%
- 1Y
- 3.63%
- 3Y*
- 3.23%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FMB vs. VTES - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FMB First Trust Managed Municipal ETF | 1.78% | 3.73% | 1.94% | 5.23% |
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares | 0.66% | 4.19% | 1.85% | 3.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between FMB and VTES is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2023 | 0.75 |
The correlation between FMB and VTES shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FMB vs. VTES — Risk / Return Rank
FMB
VTES
FMB vs. VTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Managed Municipal ETF (FMB) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES). 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 | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.60 | 1.70 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.63 | 2.48 | +0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.44 | 7.36 | +2.08 |
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 | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.70 | 2.94 | -0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.67 | 1.81 | -1.14 |
Drawdowns
FMB vs. VTES - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FMB drawdown since its inception was -14.16%, which is greater than VTES's maximum drawdown of -2.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FMB and VTES.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FMB | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.16% | -2.42% | -11.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -1.47% | -1.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.76% | -1.80% | -2.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.16% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.16% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.50% | -0.62% | +0.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.61% | -0.50% | -2.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.76% | 0.49% | +0.27% |
Volatility
FMB vs. VTES - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Managed Municipal ETF (FMB) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) at 0.35%. This indicates that FMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FMB | VTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.88% | 0.35% | +0.53% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.91% | 0.97% | +0.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.67% | 1.24% | +1.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.71% | 1.72% | +1.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.55% | 1.72% | +2.83% |
FMB vs. VTES - Expense Ratio Comparison
FMB has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VTES's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
FMB vs. VTES - Dividend Comparison
FMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.50%, more than VTES's 2.75% 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% |
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares | 2.75% | 2.77% | 2.99% | 2.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FMB and VTES have a correlation of 0.62, 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 VTES (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FMB dropped -14.16% vs VTES's -2.42%.
On 3-year performance, FMB leads with 3.96% vs 3.23% for VTES. On fees, VTES is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VTES has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FMB has performed better with a 3.96% return vs 3.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTES is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for FMB.
FMB has the higher dividend yield at 3.50%, compared with 2.75% for VTES.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for FMB and 0.07% for VTES.
VTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.70), 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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