MBSD vs. LMBS
MBSD (FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund) and LMBS (First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF) are both Mortgage Backed Securities funds. MBSD is passively managed, while LMBS is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, MBSD returned 1.37%/yr vs 2.67%/yr for LMBS. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MBSD charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for LMBS.
Performance
MBSD vs. LMBS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MBSD achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than LMBS's 1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, MBSD has underperformed LMBS with an annualized return of 1.37%, while LMBS has yielded a comparatively higher 2.67% annualized return.
MBSD
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.52%
- 1Y
- 5.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.31%
- 5Y*
- 0.62%
- 10Y*
- 1.37%
LMBS
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 0.11%
- YTD
- 1.24%
- 6M
- 1.47%
- 1Y
- 6.09%
- 3Y*
- 5.73%
- 5Y*
- 3.03%
- 10Y*
- 2.67%
MBSD vs. LMBS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBSD FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | 0.42% | 7.12% | 2.30% | 4.46% | -9.49% | -1.40% | 5.43% | 6.05% | 0.32% | 0.86% |
LMBS First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 1.24% | 7.05% | 5.15% | 6.10% | -3.07% | -0.91% | 1.64% | 4.10% | 1.62% | 1.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between MBSD and LMBS is 0.71, 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 | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2014 | 0.43 |
Over the past year, MBSD and LMBS have become more correlated (0.71) than their long-term average of 0.43, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
MBSD vs. LMBS — Risk / Return Rank
MBSD
LMBS
MBSD vs. LMBS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (MBSD) and First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF (LMBS). 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.
| MBSD | LMBS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.62 | -0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.43 | 4.28 | -1.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.71 | 18.25 | -10.54 |
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
| MBSD | LMBS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.50 | 3.10 | -1.60 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 | 1.19 | -1.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 | 1.14 | -0.81 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.38 | 1.13 | -0.76 |
Drawdowns
MBSD vs. LMBS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MBSD drawdown since its inception was -14.36%, which is greater than LMBS's maximum drawdown of -6.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBSD and LMBS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MBSD | LMBS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.36% | -6.49% | -7.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.17% | -1.43% | -0.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.68% | -1.72% | -2.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.10% | -6.12% | -7.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.36% | -6.49% | -7.87% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.19% | -0.34% | -0.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -0.80% | -2.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.68% | 0.33% | +0.35% |
Volatility
MBSD vs. LMBS - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (MBSD) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF (LMBS) at 0.68%. This indicates that MBSD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LMBS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MBSD | LMBS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.15% | 0.68% | +0.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.47% | 1.45% | +1.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.53% | 1.97% | +1.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.15% | 2.56% | +2.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.26% | 2.36% | +1.90% |
MBSD vs. LMBS - Expense Ratio Comparison
MBSD has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than LMBS's 0.68% expense ratio.
Dividends
MBSD vs. LMBS - Dividend Comparison
MBSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, more than LMBS's 4.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LMBS First Trust Low Duration Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 4.10% | 4.08% | 4.28% | 3.96% | 2.22% | 2.04% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.76% | 2.73% | 2.84% | 3.03% |
MBSD FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | 4.19% | 4.23% | 3.91% | 3.39% | 3.03% | 2.41% | 2.78% | 3.42% | 3.22% | 3.30% | 3.02% | 3.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MBSD and LMBS have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MBSD has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to LMBS (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBSD dropped -14.36% vs LMBS's -6.49%.
On 10-year performance, LMBS leads with 2.67% vs 1.37% for MBSD. On fees, MBSD is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, LMBS has been the lower-risk option at 0.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, LMBS has performed better with a 2.67% return vs 1.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MBSD is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for LMBS.
MBSD has the higher dividend yield at 4.19%, compared with 4.10% for LMBS.
They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for MBSD and 0.68% for LMBS.
LMBS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.10 vs 1.50), 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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