MLN vs. SCMB
MLN (VanEck Long Muni ETF) and SCMB (Schwab Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - MLN tracks the Bloomberg AMT-Free Long Continuous while SCMB tracks the ICE AMT-Free Core U.S. National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MLN returned 3.46%/yr vs 3.37%/yr for SCMB. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MLN charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCMB.
Performance
MLN vs. SCMB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLN achieves a 1.92% return, which is significantly higher than SCMB's 1.07% return.
MLN
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- YTD
- 1.92%
- 6M
- 2.58%
- 1Y
- 9.33%
- 3Y*
- 3.46%
- 5Y*
- -1.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.49%
SCMB
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 0.60%
- YTD
- 1.07%
- 6M
- 1.55%
- 1Y
- 6.86%
- 3Y*
- 3.37%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MLN vs. SCMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLN VanEck Long Muni ETF | 1.92% | 1.82% | 1.54% | 8.05% | 3.62% |
SCMB Schwab Municipal Bond ETF | 1.07% | 3.78% | 0.91% | 5.86% | 3.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLN and SCMB is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2022 | 0.79 |
The correlation between MLN and SCMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
MLN vs. SCMB — Risk / Return Rank
MLN
SCMB
MLN vs. SCMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long Muni ETF (MLN) and Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB). 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.
| MLN | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.11 | 2.34 | -0.24 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.15 | 3.45 | -0.29 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.50 | -0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.66 | 2.36 | +1.30 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.02 | 7.89 | +4.13 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MLN | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.11 | 2.34 | -0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.14 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.97 | -0.65 |
Drawdowns
MLN vs. SCMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLN drawdown since its inception was -28.36%, which is greater than SCMB's maximum drawdown of -6.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLN and SCMB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MLN | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.36% | -6.13% | -22.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.56% | -2.92% | +0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.84% | -5.57% | -4.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.46% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.46% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.58% | -0.87% | -5.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.73% | -1.32% | -4.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.78% | 0.87% | -0.09% |
Volatility
MLN vs. SCMB - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Long Muni ETF (MLN) has a higher volatility of 1.56% compared to Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB) at 1.04%. This indicates that MLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MLN | SCMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.56% | 1.04% | +0.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.19% | 2.17% | +1.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.45% | 2.94% | +1.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.31% | 4.16% | +3.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.88% | 4.16% | +4.72% |
MLN vs. SCMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLN has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than SCMB's 0.03% 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
MLN vs. SCMB - Dividend Comparison
MLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, more than SCMB's 3.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLN VanEck Long Muni ETF | 3.71% | 3.73% | 3.59% | 3.19% | 2.67% | 2.52% | 2.69% | 2.98% | 3.09% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 3.38% |
SCMB Schwab Municipal Bond ETF | 3.54% | 3.36% | 3.34% | 3.10% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MLN and SCMB have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLN has higher volatility (1.56%) compared to SCMB (1.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLN dropped -28.36% vs SCMB's -6.13%.
On 3-year performance, MLN leads with 3.46% vs 3.37% for SCMB. On fees, SCMB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCMB has been the lower-risk option at 1.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, MLN has performed better with a 3.46% return vs 3.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCMB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for MLN.
MLN has the higher dividend yield at 3.71%, compared with 3.54% for SCMB.
MLN tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Long Continuous, while SCMB tracks ICE AMT-Free Core U.S. National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for MLN and 0.03% for SCMB.
SCMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.11), 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.
Find the right allocation for MLN and SCMB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer