MAMB vs. IUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MAMB (Monarch Ambassador Income ETF) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds - MAMB tracks the Monarch Ambassador Income Index while IUSB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MAMB returned 0.72%/yr vs 0.44%/yr for IUSB. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MAMB charges 1.49%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.

Performance

MAMB vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Monarch Ambassador Income ETF (MAMB) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAMB achieves a 2.01% return, which is significantly higher than IUSB's 0.43% return.

MAMB

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 2.01%
• 6M: 1.90%
• 1Y: 9.37%
• 3Y*: 5.37%
• 5Y*: 0.72%
• 10Y*: —

IUSB

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.31%
• 1Y: 5.54%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 1.94%

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

MAMB vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MAMB Monarch Ambassador Income ETF	2.01%	10.69%	1.32%	4.90%	-13.02%	1.46%
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF	0.43%	7.38%	2.11%	6.23%	-13.04%	1.48%

Correlation

The correlation between MAMB and IUSB is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2021	0.90

The correlation between MAMB and IUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

MAMB vs. IUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MAMB	IUSB
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Utilities	70.8%	-
Healthcare	19.5%	-
Industrials	8.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	-
Communication Services	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

MAMB vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAMB

MAMB Risk / Return Rank: 48
MAMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
MAMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
MAMB Omega Ratio Rank: 47
MAMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
MAMB Martin Ratio Rank: 46

IUSB

IUSB Risk / Return Rank: 43
IUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
IUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

MAMB vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Monarch Ambassador Income ETF (MAMB) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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.

	MAMB	IUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.54	+0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.30	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.27	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	2.20	+0.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.49	6.68	+0.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAMB vs. IUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAMB Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the IUSB Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAMB and IUSB, 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

	MAMB	IUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	1.54	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.08	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.46	-0.30

Drawdowns

MAMB vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAMB drawdown since its inception was -19.33%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAMB and IUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAMB	IUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.33%	-17.90%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.55%	-2.53%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.38%	-5.82%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.33%	-17.87%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-17.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-1.33%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.50%	-3.59%	-3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	0.83%	+0.42%

Volatility

MAMB vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison

Monarch Ambassador Income ETF (MAMB) has a higher volatility of 1.72% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.24%. This indicates that MAMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAMB	IUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.72%	1.24%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.21%	2.62%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.67%	3.62%	+2.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.99%	5.79%	+1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.91%	5.04%	+1.87%

MAMB vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAMB has a 1.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAMB vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison

MAMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than IUSB's 4.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF	4.23%	4.17%	4.04%	3.46%	2.53%	1.74%	2.68%	3.04%	2.98%	2.56%	2.60%	1.95%
MAMB Monarch Ambassador Income ETF	2.44%	2.47%	2.11%	1.73%	0.92%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAMB and IUSB in my portfolio?

MAMB and IUSB have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAMB or IUSB?

MAMB has higher volatility (1.72%) compared to IUSB (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAMB dropped -19.33% vs IUSB's -17.90%.

Which ETF is better, MAMB or IUSB?

On 5-year performance, MAMB leads with 0.72% vs 0.44% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MAMB or IUSB?

Over the 5-year period, MAMB has performed better with a 0.72% return vs 0.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MAMB or IUSB?

IUSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 1.49% for MAMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MAMB or IUSB?

IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 2.44% for MAMB.

What is the main difference between MAMB and IUSB?

MAMB tracks Monarch Ambassador Income Index, while IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. They also come from different issuers: Monarch and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.49% for MAMB and 0.06% for IUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.54), 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.