MFLX vs. CALI

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

MFLX (First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF) and CALI (iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. MFLX is actively managed, while CALI is passively managed. Over the past year, MFLX returned 8.70% vs 3.01% for CALI. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MFLX charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for CALI.

Performance

MFLX vs. CALI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) and iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF (CALI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFLX achieves a 3.15% return, which is significantly higher than CALI's 0.97% return.

MFLX

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 3.15%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: 8.70%
• 3Y*: 5.61%
• 5Y*: -0.06%
• 10Y*: —

CALI

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: 3.01%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MFLX vs. CALI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MFLX First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF	3.15%	3.94%	3.74%	4.61%
CALI iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF	0.97%	3.28%	2.84%	1.97%

Correlation

The correlation between MFLX and CALI is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2023	0.26

Return for Risk

MFLX vs. CALI — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFLX

MFLX Risk / Return Rank: 71
MFLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
MFLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
MFLX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
MFLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MFLX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

CALI

CALI Risk / Return Rank: 94
CALI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
CALI Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
CALI Omega Ratio Rank: 97
CALI Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
CALI Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

MFLX vs. CALI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) and iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF (CALI). 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.

	MFLX	CALI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	4.01	-1.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	6.07	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.96	-0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	4.52	-1.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.28	23.09	-11.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFLX vs. CALI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is lower than the CALI Sharpe Ratio of 4.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFLX and CALI, 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

	MFLX	CALI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	4.01	-1.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	2.85	-2.66

Drawdowns

MFLX vs. CALI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFLX drawdown since its inception was -26.76%, which is greater than CALI's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFLX and CALI.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFLX	CALI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.76%	-0.78%	-25.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-0.67%	-2.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.18%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.95%	0.00%	-3.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-0.08%	-8.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.13%	+0.64%

Volatility

MFLX vs. CALI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) has a higher volatility of 1.36% compared to iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF (CALI) at 0.23%. This indicates that MFLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CALI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFLX	CALI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	0.23%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.99%	0.51%	+2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.09%	0.76%	+3.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.35%	1.10%	+9.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.29%	1.10%	+10.19%

MFLX vs. CALI - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFLX has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than CALI's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFLX vs. CALI - Dividend Comparison

MFLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.08%, more than CALI's 2.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CALI iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF	2.52%	2.62%	3.14%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MFLX First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF	4.08%	4.06%	3.81%	3.65%	4.27%	3.69%	3.21%	2.94%	3.74%	3.80%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFLX and CALI in my portfolio?

MFLX and CALI have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFLX or CALI?

MFLX has higher volatility (1.36%) compared to CALI (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFLX dropped -26.76% vs CALI's -0.78%.

Which ETF is better, MFLX or CALI?

On 1-year performance, MFLX leads with 8.70% vs 3.01% for CALI. On fees, CALI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, CALI has been the lower-risk option at 0.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MFLX or CALI?

Over the 1-year period, MFLX has performed better with a 8.70% return vs 3.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MFLX or CALI?

CALI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for MFLX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MFLX or CALI?

MFLX has the higher dividend yield at 4.08%, compared with 2.52% for CALI.

What is the main difference between MFLX and CALI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for MFLX and 0.08% for CALI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.01 vs 2.14), 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.