GUMI vs. MEAR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GUMI (Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GUMI returned 3.24% vs 3.35% for MEAR. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GUMI charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.

Performance

GUMI vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF (GUMI) and iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GUMI having a 1.10% return and MEAR slightly lower at 1.06%.

GUMI

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.28%
• 1Y: 3.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MEAR

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.06%
• 6M: 1.32%
• 1Y: 3.35%
• 3Y*: 3.58%
• 5Y*: 2.42%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

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

GUMI vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GUMI Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF	1.10%	3.39%	1.52%
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF	1.06%	3.76%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GUMI and MEAR is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2024	0.12

Return for Risk

GUMI vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

GUMI

GUMI Risk / Return Rank: 93
GUMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
GUMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
GUMI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
GUMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
GUMI Martin Ratio Rank: 96

MEAR

MEAR Risk / Return Rank: 95
MEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
MEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
MEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
MEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

GUMI vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF (GUMI) 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.

	GUMI	MEAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.98	3.93	-0.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.80	6.30	-1.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.93	-0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.03	7.07	+1.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	38.31	29.07	+9.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GUMI vs. MEAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GUMI Sharpe Ratio is 2.98, which is comparable to the MEAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GUMI and MEAR, 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

	GUMI	MEAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.98	3.93	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	2.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.32	1.11	+2.21

Drawdowns

GUMI vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GUMI drawdown since its inception was -0.48%, smaller than the maximum MEAR drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GUMI and MEAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GUMI	MEAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.48%	-2.68%	+2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.36%	-0.47%	+0.11%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.05%	-0.19%	+0.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.08%	0.11%	-0.03%

Volatility

GUMI vs. MEAR - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF (GUMI) and iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) have volatilities of 0.24% and 0.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GUMI	MEAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.24%	0.24%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.55%	0.61%	-0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09%	0.86%	+0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.99%	0.98%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.99%	1.52%	-0.53%

GUMI vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

GUMI has a 0.16% 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

GUMI vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison

GUMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, less than MEAR's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GUMI Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF	2.77%	2.95%	1.37%	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

Can I hold both GUMI and MEAR in my portfolio?

GUMI and MEAR have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GUMI or MEAR?

MEAR has higher volatility (0.24%) compared to GUMI (0.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GUMI dropped -0.48% vs MEAR's -2.68%.

Which ETF is better, GUMI or MEAR?

On 1-year performance, MEAR leads with 3.35% vs 3.24% for GUMI. On fees, GUMI is cheaper at 0.16% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GUMI or MEAR?

Over the 1-year period, MEAR has performed better with a 3.35% return vs 3.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GUMI or MEAR?

GUMI is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for MEAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GUMI or MEAR?

MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 2.77% for GUMI.

What is the main difference between GUMI and MEAR?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for GUMI and 0.25% for MEAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 2.98), 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.