MBB vs. MTBA
MBB (iShares MBS Bond ETF) and MTBA (Simplify MBS ETF) are both Mortgage Backed Securities funds. MBB is passively managed, while MTBA is actively managed. Over the past year, MBB returned 6.76% vs 5.18% for MTBA. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MBB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for MTBA.
Performance
MBB vs. MTBA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MBB achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly higher than MTBA's -0.23% return.
MBB
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- 0.31%
- YTD
- 0.58%
- 6M
- 0.71%
- 1Y
- 6.76%
- 3Y*
- 4.36%
- 5Y*
- 0.34%
- 10Y*
- 1.30%
MTBA
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- -0.23%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 5.18%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MBB vs. MTBA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MBB iShares MBS Bond ETF | 0.58% | 8.38% | 1.31% | 6.43% |
MTBA Simplify MBS ETF | -0.23% | 7.74% | 1.99% | 3.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between MBB and MTBA is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2023 | 0.91 |
The correlation between MBB and MTBA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MBB vs. MTBA — Risk / Return Rank
MBB
MTBA
MBB vs. MTBA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MBS Bond ETF (MBB) and Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA). 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.
| MBB | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.32 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.31 | 1.84 | +0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.64 | 6.28 | +1.36 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MBB | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.51 | 1.68 | -0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.25 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 1.30 | -0.71 |
Drawdowns
MBB vs. MTBA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MBB drawdown since its inception was -17.64%, which is greater than MTBA's maximum drawdown of -3.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBB and MTBA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MBB | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.64% | -3.48% | -14.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.94% | -2.82% | -0.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.68% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.19% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.64% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.52% | -1.60% | +0.08% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.35% | -0.79% | -1.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.89% | 0.83% | +0.06% |
Volatility
MBB vs. MTBA - Volatility Comparison
iShares MBS Bond ETF (MBB) has a higher volatility of 1.59% compared to Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA) at 1.33%. This indicates that MBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MTBA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MBB | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.59% | 1.33% | +0.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.23% | 2.47% | +0.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.51% | 3.10% | +1.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.81% | 3.95% | +2.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.31% | 3.95% | +1.36% |
MBB vs. MTBA - Expense Ratio Comparison
MBB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than MTBA's 0.15% 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. MTBA - Dividend Comparison
MBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, less than MTBA's 6.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBB iShares MBS Bond ETF | 4.28% | 4.21% | 3.94% | 3.40% | 2.31% | 1.05% | 2.10% | 2.77% | 2.64% | 2.23% | 2.58% | 2.66% |
MTBA Simplify MBS ETF | 6.09% | 5.98% | 6.03% | 0.48% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MBB and MTBA have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MBB has higher volatility (1.59%) compared to MTBA (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBB dropped -17.64% vs MTBA's -3.48%.
On 1-year performance, MBB leads with 6.76% vs 5.18% for MTBA. On fees, MBB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, MTBA has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MBB has performed better with a 6.76% return vs 5.18%. 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 0.15% for MTBA.
MTBA has the higher dividend yield at 6.09%, compared with 4.28% for MBB.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for MBB and 0.15% for MTBA.
MTBA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.51), 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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