FTSD vs. PMBS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTSD (Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF) and PMBS (PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund) are both Mortgage Backed Securities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FTSD returned 4.31% vs 7.55% for PMBS. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTSD charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for PMBS.

Performance

FTSD vs. PMBS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (FTSD) and PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PMBS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTSD achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly lower than PMBS's 0.90% return.

FTSD

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 4.98%
• 5Y*: 2.46%
• 10Y*: 2.05%

PMBS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.90%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 7.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTSD vs. PMBS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTSD Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF	0.80%	5.66%	0.51%
PMBS PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund	0.90%	8.92%	-2.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FTSD and PMBS is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2024	0.46

Return for Risk

FTSD vs. PMBS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FTSD

FTSD Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FTSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTSD Omega Ratio Rank: 94
FTSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTSD Martin Ratio Rank: 96

PMBS

PMBS Risk / Return Rank: 53
PMBS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
PMBS Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PMBS Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PMBS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
PMBS Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FTSD vs. PMBS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (FTSD) and PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PMBS). 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.

	FTSD	PMBS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.30	1.80	+1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.27	2.66	+2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.33	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.59	2.56	+7.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	38.36	8.70	+29.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTSD vs. PMBS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTSD Sharpe Ratio is 3.30, which is higher than the PMBS Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTSD and PMBS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTSD	PMBS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30	1.80	+1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.15	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.04	0.83	+0.22

Drawdowns

FTSD vs. PMBS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTSD drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, which is greater than PMBS's maximum drawdown of -4.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSD and PMBS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTSD	PMBS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.32%	-4.35%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.45%	-2.97%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-1.55%	+1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.60%	-1.14%	+0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.11%	0.87%	-0.76%

Volatility

FTSD vs. PMBS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (FTSD) is 0.51%, while PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PMBS) has a volatility of 1.52%. This indicates that FTSD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PMBS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTSD	PMBS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.51%	1.52%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.03%	3.10%	-2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31%	4.22%	-2.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.85%	4.88%	-3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.79%	4.88%	-3.09%

FTSD vs. PMBS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTSD has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than PMBS's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTSD vs. PMBS - Dividend Comparison

FTSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, less than PMBS's 4.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTSD Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF	4.50%	4.67%	4.75%	4.14%	1.73%	1.01%	1.54%	2.90%	2.63%	2.24%	1.92%	1.52%
PMBS PIMCO Mortgage-Backed Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund	4.98%	4.73%	1.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTSD and PMBS in my portfolio?

FTSD and PMBS have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTSD or PMBS?

PMBS has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to FTSD (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTSD dropped -5.32% vs PMBS's -4.35%.

Which ETF is better, FTSD or PMBS?

On 1-year performance, PMBS leads with 7.55% vs 4.31% for FTSD. On fees, FTSD is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FTSD has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTSD or PMBS?

Over the 1-year period, PMBS has performed better with a 7.55% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTSD or PMBS?

FTSD is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.71% for PMBS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTSD or PMBS?

PMBS has the higher dividend yield at 4.98%, compared with 4.50% for FTSD.

What is the main difference between FTSD and PMBS?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FTSD and 0.71% for PMBS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.30 vs 1.80), 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.