FTNJ vs. MEAR
FTNJ (Franklin New Jersey Municipal Income ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. FTNJ is passively managed, while MEAR is actively managed. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTNJ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.
Performance
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTNJ achieves a 1.80% return, which is significantly higher than MEAR's 1.06% return.
FTNJ
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 1.80%
- 6M
- 2.23%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MEAR
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.32%
- YTD
- 1.06%
- 6M
- 1.30%
- 1Y
- 3.29%
- 3Y*
- 3.58%
- 5Y*
- 2.43%
- 10Y*
- 1.78%
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FTNJ Franklin New Jersey Municipal Income ETF | 1.80% | 0.34% |
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.06% | 0.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTNJ and MEAR is 0.47, 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 Nov 11, 2025 | 0.47 |
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Return for Risk
FTNJ vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank
FTNJ
MEAR
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin New Jersey Municipal Income ETF (FTNJ) 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.
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FTNJ | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | — | 3.86 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 2.48 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 1.18 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.17 | 1.11 | +0.05 |
Drawdowns
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTNJ drawdown since its inception was -2.72%, roughly equal to the maximum MEAR drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTNJ and MEAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTNJ | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.72% | -2.68% | -0.04% |
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 | -0.61% | -0.19% | -0.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 0.11% | — |
Volatility
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FTNJ | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 0.24% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 0.61% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.35% | 0.86% | +2.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 0.98% | +2.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 1.52% | +1.83% |
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTNJ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than MEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTNJ vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison
FTNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.98%, less than MEAR's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTNJ Franklin New Jersey Municipal Income ETF | 1.98% | 0.54% | 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 | 2.84% | 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
FTNJ and MEAR have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, MEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
MEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for FTNJ.
MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.98% for FTNJ.
They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for FTNJ and 0.25% for MEAR.
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