MBSD vs. MTBA
MBSD (FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund) and MTBA (Simplify MBS ETF) are both Mortgage Backed Securities funds. MBSD is passively managed, while MTBA is actively managed. Over the past year, MBSD returned 5.26% vs 5.18% for MTBA. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MBSD charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for MTBA.
Performance
MBSD vs. MTBA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MBSD achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly higher than MTBA's -0.23% 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%
MTBA
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- -0.23%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 5.18%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MBSD vs. MTBA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MBSD FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund | 0.42% | 7.12% | 2.30% | 4.06% |
MTBA Simplify MBS ETF | -0.23% | 7.74% | 1.99% | 3.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between MBSD and MTBA is 0.80, 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 | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2023 | 0.83 |
The correlation between MBSD and MTBA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MBSD vs. MTBA — Risk / Return Rank
MBSD
MTBA
MBSD vs. MTBA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (MBSD) 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.
| MBSD | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.32 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.43 | 1.84 | +0.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.71 | 6.28 | +1.43 |
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 | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.50 | 1.68 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.38 | 1.30 | -0.92 |
Drawdowns
MBSD vs. MTBA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MBSD drawdown since its inception was -14.36%, which is greater than MTBA's maximum drawdown of -3.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MBSD and MTBA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MBSD | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.36% | -3.48% | -10.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.17% | -2.82% | +0.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.68% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.10% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.36% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.19% | -1.60% | +0.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -0.79% | -2.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.68% | 0.83% | -0.15% |
Volatility
MBSD vs. MTBA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund (MBSD) is 1.15%, while Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA) has a volatility of 1.33%. This indicates that MBSD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| MBSD | MTBA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.15% | 1.33% | -0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.47% | 2.47% | 0.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.53% | 3.10% | +0.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.15% | 3.95% | +1.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.26% | 3.95% | +0.31% |
MBSD vs. MTBA - Expense Ratio Comparison
MBSD has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than MTBA's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
MBSD vs. MTBA - Dividend Comparison
MBSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, less than MTBA's 6.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
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
MBSD and MTBA have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MTBA has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to MBSD (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MBSD dropped -14.36% vs MTBA's -3.48%.
On 1-year performance, MBSD leads with 5.26% vs 5.18% for MTBA. On fees, MTBA is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, MBSD has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MBSD has performed better with a 5.26% return vs 5.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MTBA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for MBSD.
MTBA has the higher dividend yield at 6.09%, compared with 4.19% for MBSD.
They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for MBSD and 0.15% for MTBA.
MTBA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 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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