FSMB vs. VB
FSMB (First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FSMB is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. FSMB is actively managed, while VB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSMB returned 1.51%/yr vs 7.11%/yr for VB. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSMB charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.
Performance
FSMB vs. VB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSMB achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 14.16% return.
FSMB
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- YTD
- 1.15%
- 6M
- 1.51%
- 1Y
- 4.18%
- 3Y*
- 3.56%
- 5Y*
- 1.51%
- 10Y*
- —
VB
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- 3.52%
- YTD
- 14.16%
- 6M
- 14.12%
- 1Y
- 28.82%
- 3Y*
- 17.05%
- 5Y*
- 7.11%
- 10Y*
- 11.30%
FSMB vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSMB First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF | 1.15% | 4.22% | 2.35% | 3.54% | -3.75% | 1.20% | 3.53% | 3.80% | 0.61% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 14.16% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -8.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSMB and VB is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 28, 2018 | 0.08 |
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Return for Risk
FSMB vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
FSMB
VB
FSMB vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF (FSMB) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.
| FSMB | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.63 | 1.31 | +0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.26 | 3.22 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.17 | 11.87 | -0.70 |
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
| FSMB | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.99 | 1.78 | +1.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 | 0.34 | +0.43 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.53 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.75 | 0.44 | +0.31 |
Drawdowns
FSMB vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSMB drawdown since its inception was -6.32%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSMB and VB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSMB | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.32% | -59.56% | +53.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.29% | -8.98% | +7.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.76% | -25.36% | +23.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.97% | -28.15% | +22.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -42.05% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -0.65% | +0.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.16% | -8.44% | +7.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.37% | 2.43% | -2.06% |
Volatility
FSMB vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF (FSMB) is 0.42%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 4.42%. This indicates that FSMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FSMB | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.42% | 4.42% | -4.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.02% | 11.72% | -10.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.40% | 16.28% | -14.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.96% | 20.74% | -18.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.92% | 21.42% | -18.50% |
FSMB vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSMB has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
FSMB vs. VB - Dividend Comparison
FSMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.14%, more than VB's 1.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSMB First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF | 3.14% | 3.09% | 2.88% | 2.40% | 1.47% | 1.20% | 1.79% | 2.27% | 0.19% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.19% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FSMB and VB have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to FSMB (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSMB dropped -6.32% vs VB's -59.56%.
On 5-year performance, VB leads with 7.11% vs 1.51% for FSMB. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, FSMB has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VB has performed better with a 7.11% return vs 1.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FSMB.
FSMB has the higher dividend yield at 3.14%, compared with 1.19% for VB.
FSMB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FSMB and 0.05% for VB.
FSMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 1.78), 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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