LMBS vs. IXJ
LMBS (First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF) and IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LMBS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by First Trust, while IXJ is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. LMBS is actively managed, while IXJ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LMBS returned 2.66%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for IXJ. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LMBS charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXJ.
Performance
LMBS vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LMBS achieves a 1.41% return, which is significantly higher than IXJ's -3.17% return. Over the past 10 years, LMBS has underperformed IXJ with an annualized return of 2.66%, while IXJ has yielded a comparatively higher 8.39% annualized return.
LMBS
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- YTD
- 1.41%
- 6M
- 1.39%
- 1Y
- 5.62%
- 3Y*
- 5.79%
- 5Y*
- 3.09%
- 10Y*
- 2.66%
IXJ
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- -0.56%
- YTD
- -3.17%
- 6M
- -3.06%
- 1Y
- 12.38%
- 3Y*
- 4.93%
- 5Y*
- 3.99%
- 10Y*
- 8.39%
LMBS vs. IXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LMBS First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 1.41% | 7.05% | 5.15% | 6.10% | -3.07% | -0.91% | 1.64% | 4.10% | 1.62% | 1.68% |
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | -3.17% | 14.99% | 0.55% | 3.62% | -4.94% | 19.60% | 12.74% | 23.23% | 2.83% | 20.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between LMBS and IXJ is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2014 | 0.05 |
Over the past year, LMBS and IXJ have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
LMBS vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank
LMBS
IXJ
LMBS vs. IXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF (LMBS) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| LMBS | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.15 | +0.42 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.95 | 1.15 | +2.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.62 | 2.73 | +13.89 |
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Drawdowns
LMBS vs. IXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LMBS drawdown since its inception was -6.49%, smaller than the maximum IXJ drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LMBS and IXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LMBS | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.49% | -40.60% | +34.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.43% | -10.78% | +9.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.72% | -18.14% | +16.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.06% | -18.14% | +12.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -6.49% | -27.35% | +20.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.20% | -7.28% | +7.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.80% | -6.92% | +6.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.34% | 4.54% | -4.20% |
Volatility
LMBS vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF (LMBS) is 0.55%, while iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) has a volatility of 4.90%. This indicates that LMBS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LMBS | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.55% | 4.90% | -4.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.47% | 10.39% | -8.92% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.95% | 14.83% | -12.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.57% | 14.27% | -11.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.35% | 15.71% | -13.36% |
LMBS vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
LMBS has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than IXJ's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
LMBS vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison
LMBS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, more than IXJ's 1.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 1.54% | 1.40% | 1.50% | 1.38% | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 2.11% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.85% |
LMBS First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 4.09% | 4.08% | 4.28% | 3.96% | 2.22% | 2.04% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.76% | 2.73% | 2.84% | 3.03% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LMBS and IXJ have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXJ has higher volatility (4.90%) compared to LMBS (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LMBS dropped -6.49% vs IXJ's -40.60%.
On 10-year performance, IXJ leads with 8.39% vs 2.66% for LMBS. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, LMBS has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXJ has performed better with a 8.39% return vs 2.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXJ is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for LMBS.
LMBS has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 1.54% for IXJ.
LMBS is categorized as Mortgage Backed Securities, while IXJ is Health & Biotech Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for LMBS and 0.40% for IXJ.
LMBS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 0.84), 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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