FTMS vs. MEAR
FTMS (Franklin Short-Term Municipal Income ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTMS charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.
Performance
FTMS vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTMS achieves a 1.41% return, which is significantly higher than MEAR's 1.26% return.
FTMS
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 1.41%
- 6M
- 1.41%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MEAR
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.40%
- YTD
- 1.26%
- 6M
- 1.32%
- 1Y
- 3.14%
- 3Y*
- 3.54%
- 5Y*
- 2.47%
- 10Y*
- 1.78%
FTMS vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FTMS Franklin Short-Term Municipal Income ETF | 1.41% | 0.47% |
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.26% | 0.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTMS and MEAR is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2025 | 0.25 |
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Return for Risk
FTMS vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank
FTMS
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
MEAR
FTMS vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Short-Term Municipal Income ETF (FTMS) 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.
| FTMS | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.85 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 6.76 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 27.67 | — |
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Drawdowns
FTMS vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTMS drawdown since its inception was -1.24%, smaller than the maximum MEAR drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTMS and MEAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTMS | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -1.24% | -2.68% | +1.44% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.20% | 0.00% | -0.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.28% | -0.19% | -0.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 0.11% | — |
Volatility
FTMS vs. MEAR - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FTMS | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 0.18% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 0.61% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.73% | 0.86% | +0.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.73% | 0.99% | +0.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.73% | 1.51% | +0.22% |
FTMS vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTMS has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than MEAR'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
FTMS vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison
FTMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, less than MEAR's 2.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTMS Franklin Short-Term Municipal Income ETF | 1.97% | 0.57% | 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 | 2.83% | 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
FTMS and MEAR have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, FTMS is cheaper at 0.21% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
FTMS is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for MEAR.
MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.83%, compared with 1.97% for FTMS.
They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for FTMS and 0.25% for MEAR.
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