IBMP vs. MFLX
IBMP (iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Muni Bond ETF) and MFLX (First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. IBMP is passively managed, while MFLX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IBMP returned 0.59%/yr vs -0.03%/yr for MFLX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBMP charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for MFLX.
Performance
IBMP vs. MFLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBMP achieves a 0.89% return, which is significantly lower than MFLX's 3.33% return.
IBMP
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 0.89%
- 6M
- 1.26%
- 1Y
- 3.04%
- 3Y*
- 2.97%
- 5Y*
- 0.59%
- 10Y*
- —
MFLX
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- 1.21%
- YTD
- 3.33%
- 6M
- 3.84%
- 1Y
- 9.22%
- 3Y*
- 5.48%
- 5Y*
- -0.03%
- 10Y*
- —
IBMP vs. MFLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBMP iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Muni Bond ETF | 0.89% | 3.52% | 1.26% | 3.49% | -6.09% | -0.16% | 6.22% | 4.88% |
MFLX First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF | 3.33% | 3.94% | 3.74% | 8.98% | -19.94% | 8.43% | 7.19% | 7.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBMP and MFLX is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 12, 2019 | 0.28 |
The correlation between IBMP and MFLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.29 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IBMP vs. MFLX — Risk / Return Rank
IBMP
MFLX
IBMP vs. MFLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMP) and First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX). 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.
| IBMP | MFLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.60 | 1.49 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.14 | 2.97 | +2.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.24 | 11.95 | +2.29 |
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
| IBMP | MFLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.83 | 2.27 | +0.56 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 | -0.00 | +0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.38 | 0.19 | +0.19 |
Drawdowns
IBMP vs. MFLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBMP drawdown since its inception was -15.24%, smaller than the maximum MFLX drawdown of -26.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBMP and MFLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBMP | MFLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.24% | -26.76% | +11.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.59% | -3.11% | +2.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.63% | -8.18% | +5.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -10.00% | -25.88% | +15.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.01% | -3.78% | +3.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.72% | -8.17% | +5.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.21% | 0.77% | -0.56% |
Volatility
IBMP vs. MFLX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMP) is 0.27%, while First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) has a volatility of 1.41%. This indicates that IBMP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBMP | MFLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.27% | 1.41% | -1.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.79% | 2.98% | -2.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08% | 4.08% | -3.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.56% | 10.36% | -7.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.01% | 11.29% | -6.28% |
IBMP vs. MFLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBMP has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than MFLX's 0.88% expense ratio.
Dividends
IBMP vs. MFLX - Dividend Comparison
IBMP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, less than MFLX's 4.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBMP iShares iBonds Dec 2027 Term Muni Bond ETF | 2.50% | 2.47% | 2.35% | 2.05% | 1.26% | 0.86% | 1.16% | 1.06% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MFLX First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF | 4.08% | 4.06% | 3.81% | 3.65% | 4.27% | 3.69% | 3.21% | 2.94% | 3.74% | 3.80% | 0.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBMP and MFLX have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MFLX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to IBMP (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBMP dropped -15.24% vs MFLX's -26.76%.
On 5-year performance, IBMP leads with 0.59% vs -0.03% for MFLX. On fees, IBMP is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IBMP has been the lower-risk option at 0.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IBMP has performed better with a 0.59% return vs -0.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBMP is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for MFLX.
MFLX has the higher dividend yield at 4.08%, compared with 2.50% for IBMP.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IBMP and 0.88% for MFLX.
IBMP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.27), 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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