MDBU.L vs. UC04.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MDBU.L (UBS ETF (LU) Sustainable Development Bank Bonds UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis) and UC04.L (UBS ETF (IE) MSCI USA UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis) are both exchange-traded funds - MDBU.L is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Global Multilateral Development Bank Bond USD 25% Issuer Capped Index, while UC04.L is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 TR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MDBU.L returned 2.03%/yr vs 14.74%/yr for UC04.L. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MDBU.L charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for UC04.L.

Performance

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in UBS ETF (LU) Sustainable Development Bank Bonds UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis (MDBU.L) and UBS ETF (IE) MSCI USA UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis (UC04.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDBU.L achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly lower than UC04.L's 10.50% return.

MDBU.L

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 6M: -0.22%
• 1Y: 4.43%
• 3Y*: 1.21%
• 5Y*: 2.03%
• 10Y*: —

UC04.L

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 5.66%
• YTD: 10.50%
• 6M: 10.32%
• 1Y: 28.86%
• 3Y*: 19.17%
• 5Y*: 14.74%
• 10Y*: 16.01%

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

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MDBU.L UBS ETF (LU) Sustainable Development Bank Bonds UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis	0.13%	-0.80%	4.66%	-1.28%	3.51%	-0.35%	1.30%	1.13%	0.00%
UC04.L UBS ETF (IE) MSCI USA UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis	10.50%	9.28%	27.38%	20.52%	-10.51%	28.96%	16.61%	26.56%	-3.11%

Correlation

The correlation between MDBU.L and UC04.L is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2018	0.12

Return for Risk

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDBU.L

MDBU.L Risk / Return Rank: 21
MDBU.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
MDBU.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
MDBU.L Omega Ratio Rank: 21
MDBU.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
MDBU.L Martin Ratio Rank: 20

UC04.L

UC04.L Risk / Return Rank: 79
UC04.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
UC04.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
UC04.L Omega Ratio Rank: 84
UC04.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
UC04.L Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for UBS ETF (LU) Sustainable Development Bank Bonds UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis (MDBU.L) and UBS ETF (IE) MSCI USA UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis (UC04.L). 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.

	MDBU.L	UC04.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	2.70	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.13	3.61	-2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.50	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.94	3.74	-2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	13.07	-10.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDBU.L Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the UC04.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDBU.L and UC04.L, 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

	MDBU.L	UC04.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	2.70	-1.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	1.01	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.98	-0.85

Drawdowns

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDBU.L drawdown since its inception was -18.04%, smaller than the maximum UC04.L drawdown of -25.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDBU.L and UC04.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDBU.L	UC04.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.04%	-25.93%	+7.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.76%	-7.67%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.99%	-21.14%	+13.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.15%	-21.14%	+4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-25.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.05%	-0.17%	-8.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.90%	-3.46%	-7.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	2.20%	-0.27%

Volatility

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for UBS ETF (LU) Sustainable Development Bank Bonds UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis (MDBU.L) is 1.66%, while UBS ETF (IE) MSCI USA UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis (UC04.L) has a volatility of 2.72%. This indicates that MDBU.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UC04.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDBU.L	UC04.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	2.72%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.44%	7.24%	-2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.06%	10.63%	-4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.41%	14.66%	-6.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.23%	15.86%	-6.63%

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDBU.L has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than UC04.L's 0.14% 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

MDBU.L vs. UC04.L - Dividend Comparison

MDBU.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.14%, more than UC04.L's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDBU.L UBS ETF (LU) Sustainable Development Bank Bonds UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis	3.14%	3.96%	2.14%	1.92%	0.75%	0.74%	1.73%	1.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UC04.L UBS ETF (IE) MSCI USA UCITS ETF (USD) A-dis	0.84%	0.96%	0.95%	1.12%	1.19%	0.89%	1.28%	1.40%	1.50%	1.32%	1.52%	1.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDBU.L and UC04.L in my portfolio?

MDBU.L and UC04.L have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MDBU.L or UC04.L?

On fees, UC04.L is cheaper at 0.14% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MDBU.L or UC04.L?

UC04.L is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for MDBU.L.

What is the main difference between MDBU.L and UC04.L?

MDBU.L is categorized as Government Bonds, while UC04.L is Large Cap Blend Equities. MDBU.L tracks Solactive Global Multilateral Development Bank Bond USD 25% Issuer Capped Index, while UC04.L tracks Russell 1000 TR USD. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for MDBU.L and 0.14% for UC04.L.