MBB vs. BNDX
MBB (iShares MBS Bond ETF) and BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MBB is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. MBS Index, while BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MBB returned 1.33%/yr vs 1.69%/yr for BNDX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MBB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for BNDX.
Performance
MBB vs. BNDX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MBB achieves a 1.01% return, which is significantly higher than BNDX's 0.85% return. Over the past 10 years, MBB has underperformed BNDX with an annualized return of 1.33%, while BNDX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.69% annualized return.
MBB
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- YTD
- 1.01%
- 6M
- 1.29%
- 1Y
- 6.49%
- 3Y*
- 4.43%
- 5Y*
- 0.41%
- 10Y*
- 1.33%
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.58%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- YTD
- 0.85%
- 6M
- 0.99%
- 1Y
- 1.99%
- 3Y*
- 4.13%
- 5Y*
- 0.29%
- 10Y*
- 1.69%
MBB vs. BNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBB iShares MBS Bond ETF | 1.01% | 8.38% | 1.31% | 5.01% | -11.74% | -1.43% | 4.08% | 6.18% | 0.82% | 2.49% |
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 0.85% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 8.77% | -12.76% | -2.29% | 4.65% | 7.87% | 2.81% | 2.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between MBB and BNDX is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013 | 0.64 |
The correlation between MBB and BNDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.78 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MBB vs. BNDX — Risk / Return Rank
MBB
BNDX
MBB vs. BNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MBS Bond ETF (MBB) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). 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.
| MBB | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.88 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.10 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.21 | 0.68 | +1.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.06 | 1.90 | +5.16 |
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Drawdowns
MBB vs. BNDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MBB drawdown since its inception was -17.64%, which is greater than BNDX's maximum drawdown of -16.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBB and BNDX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MBB | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.64% | -16.23% | -1.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.94% | -2.93% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.68% | -2.93% | -4.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.19% | -15.86% | -1.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.64% | -16.23% | -1.41% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.09% | -1.18% | +0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.35% | -3.10% | +0.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 1.05% | -0.13% |
Volatility
MBB vs. BNDX - Volatility Comparison
iShares MBS Bond ETF (MBB) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) have volatilities of 1.57% and 1.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MBB | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.57% | 1.50% | +0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.31% | 2.96% | +0.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.47% | 3.47% | +1.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.82% | 4.89% | +1.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.31% | 4.10% | +1.21% |
MBB vs. BNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MBB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than BNDX's 0.07% 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
MBB vs. BNDX - Dividend Comparison
MBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than BNDX's 4.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.48% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
MBB iShares MBS Bond ETF | 4.26% | 4.21% | 3.94% | 3.40% | 2.31% | 1.05% | 2.10% | 2.77% | 2.64% | 2.23% | 2.58% | 2.66% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MBB and BNDX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MBB has higher volatility (1.57%) compared to BNDX (1.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBB dropped -17.64% vs BNDX's -16.23%.
On 10-year performance, BNDX leads with 1.69% vs 1.33% for MBB. On fees, MBB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, BNDX has performed better with a 1.69% return vs 1.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MBB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for BNDX.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 4.26% for MBB.
MBB is categorized as Mortgage Backed Securities, while BNDX is Global Bonds. MBB tracks Barclays Capital U.S. MBS Index, while BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for MBB and 0.07% for BNDX.
MBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 0.58), 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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