IBMT vs. MLN
IBMT (iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF) and MLN (VanEck Long Muni ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - IBMT tracks the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2031 Index while MLN tracks the Bloomberg AMT-Free Long Continuous. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBMT returned 6.34% vs 9.33% for MLN. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBMT charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for MLN.
Performance
IBMT vs. MLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBMT achieves a 0.19% return, which is significantly lower than MLN's 1.92% return.
IBMT
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 0.19%
- 6M
- 0.25%
- 1Y
- 6.34%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MLN
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- YTD
- 1.92%
- 6M
- 2.58%
- 1Y
- 9.33%
- 3Y*
- 3.46%
- 5Y*
- -1.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.49%
IBMT vs. MLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IBMT iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF | 0.19% | 7.26% |
MLN VanEck Long Muni ETF | 1.92% | 4.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBMT and MLN is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025 | 0.57 |
The correlation between IBMT and MLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IBMT vs. MLN — Risk / Return Rank
IBMT
MLN
IBMT vs. MLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMT) and VanEck Long Muni ETF (MLN). 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.
| IBMT | MLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.45 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.06 | 3.66 | -1.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.13 | 12.02 | -5.90 |
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
| IBMT | MLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.05 | 2.11 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | -0.14 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.17 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.63 | 0.32 | +1.31 |
Drawdowns
IBMT vs. MLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBMT drawdown since its inception was -3.18%, smaller than the maximum MLN drawdown of -28.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBMT and MLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBMT | MLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.18% | -28.36% | +25.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.10% | -2.56% | -0.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -9.84% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -24.46% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.46% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.65% | -6.58% | +4.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.74% | -5.73% | +4.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.04% | 0.78% | +0.26% |
Volatility
IBMT vs. MLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMT) is 0.78%, while VanEck Long Muni ETF (MLN) has a volatility of 1.56%. This indicates that IBMT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBMT | MLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.78% | 1.56% | -0.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.06% | 3.19% | -1.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.11% | 4.45% | -1.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.86% | 7.31% | -3.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.86% | 8.88% | -5.02% |
IBMT vs. MLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBMT has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than MLN's 0.24% 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
IBMT vs. MLN - Dividend Comparison
IBMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, less than MLN's 3.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBMT iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF | 3.65% | 2.98% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MLN VanEck Long Muni ETF | 3.71% | 3.73% | 3.59% | 3.19% | 2.67% | 2.52% | 2.69% | 2.98% | 3.09% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 3.38% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBMT and MLN have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLN has higher volatility (1.56%) compared to IBMT (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBMT dropped -3.18% vs MLN's -28.36%.
On 1-year performance, MLN leads with 9.33% vs 6.34% for IBMT. On fees, IBMT is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IBMT has been the lower-risk option at 0.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MLN has performed better with a 9.33% return vs 6.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBMT is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for MLN.
MLN has the higher dividend yield at 3.71%, compared with 3.65% for IBMT.
IBMT tracks S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2031 Index, while MLN tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Long Continuous. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IBMT and 0.24% for MLN.
MLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 2.05), 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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