IBMT vs. SCMB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBMT (iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF) and SCMB (Schwab Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - IBMT tracks the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2031 Index while SCMB tracks the ICE AMT-Free Core U.S. National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBMT returned 6.34% vs 6.86% for SCMB. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBMT charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCMB.

Performance

IBMT vs. SCMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMT) and Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBMT achieves a 0.19% return, which is significantly lower than SCMB's 1.07% return.

IBMT

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 0.19%
• 6M: 0.25%
• 1Y: 6.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCMB

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 1.07%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 6.86%
• 3Y*: 3.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBMT vs. SCMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IBMT iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.19%	7.26%
SCMB Schwab Municipal Bond ETF	1.07%	4.71%

Correlation

The correlation between IBMT and SCMB is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.59

The correlation between IBMT and SCMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IBMT vs. SCMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBMT

IBMT Risk / Return Rank: 60
IBMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
IBMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IBMT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
IBMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
IBMT Martin Ratio Rank: 39

SCMB

SCMB Risk / Return Rank: 64
SCMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SCMB Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SCMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SCMB Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

IBMT vs. SCMB - 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 Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB). 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	SCMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.34	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.45	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.50	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.36	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.13	7.89	-1.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBMT vs. SCMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBMT Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the SCMB Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBMT and SCMB, 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

	IBMT	SCMB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	2.34	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	0.97	+0.65

Drawdowns

IBMT vs. SCMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBMT drawdown since its inception was -3.18%, smaller than the maximum SCMB drawdown of -6.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBMT and SCMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBMT	SCMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.18%	-6.13%	+2.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.10%	-2.92%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.57%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-0.87%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.74%	-1.32%	+0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.87%	+0.17%

Volatility

IBMT vs. SCMB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMT) is 0.78%, while Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB) has a volatility of 1.04%. This indicates that IBMT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBMT	SCMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	1.04%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.06%	2.17%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.11%	2.94%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.86%	4.16%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.86%	4.16%	-0.30%

IBMT vs. SCMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBMT has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than SCMB's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. SCMB - Dividend Comparison

IBMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, more than SCMB's 3.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IBMT iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Muni Bond ETF	3.65%	2.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCMB Schwab Municipal Bond ETF	3.54%	3.36%	3.34%	3.10%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBMT and SCMB in my portfolio?

IBMT and SCMB have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBMT or SCMB?

SCMB has higher volatility (1.04%) compared to IBMT (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBMT dropped -3.18% vs SCMB's -6.13%.

Which ETF is better, IBMT or SCMB?

On 1-year performance, SCMB leads with 6.86% vs 6.34% for IBMT. On fees, SCMB is cheaper at 0.03% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, IBMT or SCMB?

Over the 1-year period, SCMB has performed better with a 6.86% return vs 6.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBMT or SCMB?

SCMB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for IBMT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBMT or SCMB?

IBMT has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 3.54% for SCMB.

What is the main difference between IBMT and SCMB?

IBMT tracks S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series Dec 2031 Index, while SCMB tracks ICE AMT-Free Core U.S. National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IBMT and 0.03% for SCMB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 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.