MBS vs. DEFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MBS (Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF) and DEFR (Aptus Deferred Income ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MBS returned 6.88% vs 5.79% for DEFR. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MBS charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for DEFR.

Performance

MBS vs. DEFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (MBS) and Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MBS achieves a 0.62% return, which is significantly higher than DEFR's -0.45% return.

MBS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -0.22%
• YTD: 0.62%
• 6M: 0.84%
• 1Y: 6.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DEFR

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: -0.45%
• 6M: -0.78%
• 1Y: 5.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MBS vs. DEFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MBS Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF	0.62%	6.79%
DEFR Aptus Deferred Income ETF	-0.45%	6.86%

Correlation

The correlation between MBS and DEFR is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2025	0.46

Return for Risk

MBS vs. DEFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

MBS

MBS Risk / Return Rank: 69
MBS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
MBS Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
MBS Omega Ratio Rank: 75
MBS Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
MBS Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DEFR

DEFR Risk / Return Rank: 31
DEFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
DEFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
DEFR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
DEFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
DEFR Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

MBS vs. DEFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (MBS) and Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR). 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.

	MBS	DEFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.10	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	1.60	+1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.20	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	1.49	+1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.89	4.19	+5.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MBS vs. DEFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MBS Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the DEFR Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MBS and DEFR, 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

	MBS	DEFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	1.10	+1.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.60	1.15	+0.45

Drawdowns

MBS vs. DEFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MBS drawdown since its inception was -4.09%, roughly equal to the maximum DEFR drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBS and DEFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	MBS	DEFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-3.90%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.20%	-3.90%	+1.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	-2.74%	+1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.02%	-0.93%	-0.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.70%	1.38%	-0.68%

Volatility

MBS vs. DEFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (MBS) is 0.90%, while Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR) has a volatility of 1.40%. This indicates that MBS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DEFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MBS	DEFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	1.40%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.00%	3.26%	-1.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93%	5.27%	-2.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.99%	5.30%	-1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.99%	5.30%	-1.31%

MBS vs. DEFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

MBS has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than DEFR's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

MBS vs. DEFR - Dividend Comparison

MBS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.61%, while DEFR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
DEFR Aptus Deferred Income ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MBS Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF	5.61%	5.28%	4.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MBS and DEFR in my portfolio?

MBS and DEFR have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MBS or DEFR?

DEFR has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to MBS (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBS dropped -4.09% vs DEFR's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, MBS or DEFR?

On 1-year performance, MBS leads with 6.88% vs 5.79% for DEFR. On fees, MBS is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, MBS has been the lower-risk option at 0.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MBS or DEFR?

Over the 1-year period, MBS has performed better with a 6.88% return vs 5.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MBS or DEFR?

MBS is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for DEFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MBS or DEFR?

MBS has the higher dividend yield at 5.61%, compared with 0.00% for DEFR.

What is the main difference between MBS and DEFR?

They also come from different issuers: Angel Oak and Aptus. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MBS and 0.79% for DEFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MBS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.10), 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.