MEAR vs. IBMM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) and IBMM (iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds from iShares. MEAR is actively managed, while IBMM is passively managed. MEAR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IBMM.

Performance

MEAR vs. IBMM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) and iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MEAR

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.06%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 3.29%
• 3Y*: 3.58%
• 5Y*: 2.43%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

IBMM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MEAR vs. IBMM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF	0.55%
IBMM iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.00%

Return for Risk

MEAR vs. IBMM — Risk / Return Rank

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

MEAR

MEAR Risk / Return Rank: 95
MEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
MEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
MEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
MEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
MEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

MEAR vs. IBMM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) and iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMM). 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.

	MEAR	IBMM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.86	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.19	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.91	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.07	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.99	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MEAR	IBMM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.18	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	—	—

Drawdowns

MEAR vs. IBMM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MEAR drawdown since its inception was -2.68%, which is greater than IBMM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEAR and IBMM.

Drawdown Indicators

	MEAR	IBMM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.68%	0.00%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-2.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	0.00%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MEAR	IBMM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.24%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.61%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86%	0.00%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.98%	0.00%	+0.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.52%	0.00%	+1.52%

MEAR vs. IBMM - Expense Ratio Comparison

MEAR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IBMM's 0.18% 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

MEAR vs. IBMM - Dividend Comparison

MEAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, while IBMM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBMM iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF	2.84%	2.95%	3.44%	3.30%	0.88%	0.30%	0.90%	1.57%	1.36%	1.01%	0.81%	0.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, MEAR or IBMM?

On fees, IBMM is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MEAR or IBMM?

IBMM is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for MEAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MEAR or IBMM?

MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 0.00% for IBMM.

What is the main difference between MEAR and IBMM?

Their fees differ too: 0.25% for MEAR and 0.18% for IBMM.