MBND vs. CA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MBND (SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF) and CA (Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. MBND is actively managed, while CA is passively managed. Over the past year, MBND returned 5.33% vs 6.67% for CA. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MBND charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for CA.

Performance

MBND vs. CA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF (MBND) and Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF (CA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MBND achieves a 1.12% return, which is significantly lower than CA's 1.20% return.

MBND

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 3.72%
• 5Y*: 0.63%
• 10Y*: —

CA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.44%
• 1Y: 6.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MBND vs. CA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MBND SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF	1.12%	2.90%	2.75%	0.76%
CA Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF	1.20%	3.05%	1.51%	0.79%

Correlation

The correlation between MBND and CA is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2023	0.63

The correlation between MBND and CA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MBND vs. CA — Risk / Return Rank

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

MBND

MBND Risk / Return Rank: 60
MBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
MBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
MBND Omega Ratio Rank: 77
MBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
MBND Martin Ratio Rank: 45

CA

CA Risk / Return Rank: 73
CA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
CA Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
CA Omega Ratio Rank: 90
CA Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
CA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

MBND vs. CA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF (MBND) and Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF (CA). 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.

	MBND	CA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.54	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.84	-0.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.58	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	2.61	-0.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.27	9.84	-2.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MBND vs. CA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MBND Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the CA Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MBND and CA, 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

	MBND	CA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.54	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.67	-0.47

Drawdowns

MBND vs. CA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MBND drawdown since its inception was -13.18%, which is greater than CA's maximum drawdown of -5.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBND and CA.

Drawdown Indicators

	MBND	CA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.18%	-5.24%	-7.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.44%	-2.57%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.18%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-0.75%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.19%	-1.27%	-2.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	0.68%	+0.05%

Volatility

MBND vs. CA - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF (MBND) has a higher volatility of 1.05% compared to Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF (CA) at 0.31%. This indicates that MBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MBND	CA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	0.31%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.82%	1.83%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50%	2.64%	-0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.48%	3.99%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.41%	3.99%	-0.58%

MBND vs. CA - Expense Ratio Comparison

MBND has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than CA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

MBND vs. CA - Dividend Comparison

MBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than CA's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
CA Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF	2.96%	3.14%	3.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MBND SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF	3.49%	3.43%	2.72%	2.53%	1.61%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MBND and CA in my portfolio?

MBND and CA have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MBND or CA?

MBND has higher volatility (1.05%) compared to CA (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBND dropped -13.18% vs CA's -5.24%.

Which ETF is better, MBND or CA?

On 1-year performance, CA leads with 6.67% vs 5.33% for MBND. On fees, CA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, CA has been the lower-risk option at 0.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MBND or CA?

Over the 1-year period, CA has performed better with a 6.67% return vs 5.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MBND or CA?

CA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for MBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MBND or CA?

MBND has the higher dividend yield at 3.49%, compared with 2.96% for CA.

What is the main difference between MBND and CA?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for MBND and 0.07% for CA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.14), 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.