FUMB vs. MEAR
FUMB (First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FUMB returned 1.96%/yr vs 2.43%/yr for MEAR. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FUMB charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.
Performance
FUMB vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FUMB having a 1.07% return and MEAR slightly lower at 1.06%.
FUMB
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.15%
- YTD
- 1.07%
- 6M
- 1.30%
- 1Y
- 2.55%
- 3Y*
- 2.98%
- 5Y*
- 1.96%
- 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%
FUMB vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FUMB First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 1.07% | 2.78% | 3.05% | 2.84% | -0.03% | 0.38% | 1.25% | 1.76% | 0.30% |
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.06% | 3.76% | 3.40% | 3.93% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 1.18% | 1.91% | 0.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between FUMB and MEAR is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2018 | 0.09 |
The correlation between FUMB and MEAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.10 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FUMB vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank
FUMB
MEAR
FUMB vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF (FUMB) 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.
| FUMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.85 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.76 | 1.91 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 11.70 | 7.07 | +4.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 44.37 | 28.99 | +15.38 |
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
| FUMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.38 | 3.86 | -0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.70 | 2.48 | -0.78 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 1.18 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.00 | 1.11 | -0.11 |
Drawdowns
FUMB vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FUMB drawdown since its inception was -2.68%, roughly equal to the maximum MEAR drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FUMB and MEAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FUMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.68% | -2.68% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.22% | -0.47% | +0.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.60% | -0.86% | +0.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -1.25% | -1.12% | -0.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -2.68% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | 0.00% | -0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.19% | -0.19% | 0.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.06% | 0.11% | -0.05% |
Volatility
FUMB vs. MEAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF (FUMB) is 0.20%, while iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) has a volatility of 0.24%. This indicates that FUMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FUMB | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.20% | 0.24% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.53% | 0.61% | -0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.76% | 0.86% | -0.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.16% | 0.98% | +0.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.77% | 1.52% | +0.25% |
FUMB vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
FUMB has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than MEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
FUMB vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison
FUMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, less than MEAR's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FUMB First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 2.80% | 2.90% | 2.86% | 2.24% | 1.02% | 0.43% | 0.94% | 1.74% | 0.15% | 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
FUMB and MEAR have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MEAR has higher volatility (0.24%) compared to FUMB (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FUMB dropped -2.68% vs MEAR's -2.68%.
On 5-year performance, MEAR leads with 2.43% vs 1.96% for FUMB. On fees, MEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MEAR has performed better with a 2.43% return vs 1.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FUMB.
MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 2.80% for FUMB.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FUMB and 0.25% for MEAR.
MEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 3.38), 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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