MEAR vs. TAXS
MEAR (iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF) and TAXS (Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. MEAR is actively managed, while TAXS is passively managed. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MEAR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for TAXS.
Performance
MEAR vs. TAXS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MEAR achieves a 1.02% return, which is significantly higher than TAXS's 0.93% return.
MEAR
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- YTD
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 1.28%
- 1Y
- 3.23%
- 3Y*
- 3.55%
- 5Y*
- 2.42%
- 10Y*
- 1.78%
TAXS
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.38%
- YTD
- 0.93%
- 6M
- 1.33%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MEAR vs. TAXS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
MEAR iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 1.02% | 1.07% |
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.93% | 1.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between MEAR and TAXS is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025 | 0.36 |
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Return for Risk
MEAR vs. TAXS — Risk / Return Rank
MEAR
TAXS
MEAR vs. TAXS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (MEAR) and Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (TAXS). 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 | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.88 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.93 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 28.45 | — | — |
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
| MEAR | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.78 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 2.47 | — | — |
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 | 2.78 | -1.67 |
Drawdowns
MEAR vs. TAXS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MEAR drawdown since its inception was -2.68%, which is greater than TAXS's maximum drawdown of -0.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEAR and TAXS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MEAR | TAXS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.68% | -0.84% | -1.84% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.04% | -0.09% | +0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.19% | -0.24% | +0.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.11% | — | — |
Volatility
MEAR vs. TAXS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| MEAR | TAXS | 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% | 1.00% | -0.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.98% | 1.00% | -0.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.52% | 1.00% | +0.52% |
MEAR vs. TAXS - Expense Ratio Comparison
MEAR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than TAXS's 0.05% 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. TAXS - Dividend Comparison
MEAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, more than TAXS's 1.83% 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% |
TAXS Northern Trust Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.83% | 0.74% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MEAR and TAXS have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, TAXS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
TAXS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for MEAR.
MEAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.83% for TAXS.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for MEAR and 0.05% for TAXS.
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