MEAR vs. MUB
MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) and MUB (iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds from iShares. MEAR is actively managed, while MUB is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MEAR returned 1.78%/yr vs 1.90%/yr for MUB. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MEAR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for MUB.
Performance
MEAR vs. MUB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MEAR achieves a 1.18% return, which is significantly lower than MUB's 1.53% return. Over the past 10 years, MEAR has underperformed MUB with an annualized return of 1.78%, while MUB has yielded a comparatively higher 1.90% annualized return.
MEAR
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 1.18%
- 6M
- 1.24%
- 1Y
- 3.16%
- 3Y*
- 3.47%
- 5Y*
- 2.45%
- 10Y*
- 1.78%
MUB
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- 1.35%
- YTD
- 1.53%
- 6M
- 1.89%
- 1Y
- 6.58%
- 3Y*
- 3.21%
- 5Y*
- 0.96%
- 10Y*
- 1.90%
MEAR vs. MUB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.18% | 3.76% | 3.40% | 3.93% | 0.10% | 0.05% | 1.18% | 1.91% | 1.63% | 1.12% |
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 1.53% | 3.78% | 1.26% | 5.56% | -7.34% | 1.02% | 5.12% | 7.06% | 0.93% | 4.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between MEAR and MUB is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2015 | 0.19 |
The correlation between MEAR and MUB shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.32 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MEAR vs. MUB — Risk / Return Rank
MEAR
MUB
MEAR vs. MUB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MEAR | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.41 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.86 | 1.48 | +0.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.80 | 2.37 | +4.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 27.85 | 8.25 | +19.60 |
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Drawdowns
MEAR vs. MUB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MEAR drawdown since its inception was -2.68%, smaller than the maximum MUB drawdown of -13.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEAR and MUB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MEAR | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.68% | -13.68% | +11.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.47% | -2.79% | +2.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.86% | -5.34% | +4.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -1.12% | -11.88% | +10.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -2.68% | -13.68% | +11.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.41% | +0.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.19% | -2.23% | +2.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.11% | 0.80% | -0.69% |
Volatility
MEAR vs. MUB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) is 0.21%, while iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) has a volatility of 0.76%. This indicates that MEAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MUB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MEAR | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.21% | 0.76% | -0.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.61% | 2.27% | -1.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.86% | 2.89% | -2.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.99% | 4.07% | -3.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.51% | 4.93% | -3.42% |
MEAR vs. MUB - Expense Ratio Comparison
MEAR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than MUB's 0.07% 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. MUB - Dividend Comparison
MEAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, less than MUB's 3.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 3.17% | 3.14% | 3.01% | 2.65% | 2.11% | 1.81% | 2.11% | 2.42% | 2.46% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.51% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MEAR and MUB have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MUB has higher volatility (0.76%) compared to MEAR (0.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEAR dropped -2.68% vs MUB's -13.68%.
On 10-year performance, MUB leads with 1.90% vs 1.78% for MEAR. On fees, MUB is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, MEAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, MUB has performed better with a 1.90% return vs 1.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MUB is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for MEAR.
MUB has the higher dividend yield at 3.17%, compared with 2.84% for MEAR.
Their fees differ too: 0.25% for MEAR and 0.07% for MUB.
MEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.71 vs 2.29), 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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