LCR vs. MEAR
LCR (Leuthold Core ETF) and MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LCR is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by The Leuthold Group LLC, while MEAR is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, LCR returned 6.74%/yr vs 2.43%/yr for MEAR. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LCR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for MEAR.
Performance
LCR vs. MEAR - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LCR achieves a 4.15% return, which is significantly higher than MEAR's 1.06% return.
LCR
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 2.71%
- YTD
- 4.15%
- 6M
- 5.01%
- 1Y
- 14.07%
- 3Y*
- 11.32%
- 5Y*
- 6.74%
- 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%
LCR vs. MEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LCR Leuthold Core ETF | 4.15% | 12.43% | 8.68% | 12.80% | -7.58% | 12.12% | 13.28% |
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.06% | 3.76% | 3.40% | 3.93% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 1.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between LCR and MEAR is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2020 | 0.12 |
The correlation between LCR and MEAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
LCR vs. MEAR — Risk / Return Rank
LCR
MEAR
LCR vs. MEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Leuthold Core ETF (LCR) 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.
| LCR | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.91 | -0.57 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.35 | 7.07 | -4.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.69 | 28.99 | -19.31 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| LCR | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.89 | 3.86 | -1.97 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 | 2.48 | -1.73 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 1.18 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.75 | 1.11 | -0.37 |
Drawdowns
LCR vs. MEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LCR drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, which is greater than MEAR's maximum drawdown of -2.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCR and MEAR.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| LCR | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.44% | -2.68% | -14.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.02% | -0.47% | -5.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.59% | -0.86% | -7.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.40% | -1.12% | -12.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -2.68% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.28% | 0.00% | -0.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.84% | -0.19% | -2.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.46% | 0.11% | +1.35% |
Volatility
LCR vs. MEAR - Volatility Comparison
Leuthold Core ETF (LCR) has a higher volatility of 2.08% compared to iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) at 0.24%. This indicates that LCR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| LCR | MEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.08% | 0.24% | +1.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.98% | 0.61% | +5.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.49% | 0.86% | +6.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.02% | 0.98% | +8.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.40% | 1.52% | +9.88% |
LCR vs. MEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
LCR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than MEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
LCR vs. MEAR - Dividend Comparison
LCR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than MEAR's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LCR Leuthold Core ETF | 1.31% | 1.37% | 1.86% | 1.60% | 0.75% | 0.21% | 0.62% | 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
LCR and MEAR have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LCR has higher volatility (2.08%) compared to MEAR (0.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCR dropped -17.44% vs MEAR's -2.68%.
On 5-year performance, LCR leads with 6.74% vs 2.43% for MEAR. On fees, MEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, MEAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, LCR has performed better with a 6.74% return vs 2.43%. 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 0.79% for LCR.
MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.31% for LCR.
LCR is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while MEAR is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: The Leuthold Group LLC and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for LCR and 0.25% for MEAR.
MEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 1.89), 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.
Find the right allocation for LCR and MEAR
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer