MUB vs. CALI
MUB (iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF) and CALI (iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds from iShares - MUB tracks the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index while CALI tracks the ICE AMT-Free California Municipal Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, MUB returned 6.59% vs 2.86% for CALI. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MUB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for CALI.
Performance
MUB vs. CALI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MUB achieves a 1.54% return, which is significantly higher than CALI's 1.03% return.
MUB
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 1.44%
- YTD
- 1.54%
- 6M
- 1.92%
- 1Y
- 6.59%
- 3Y*
- 3.28%
- 5Y*
- 0.88%
- 10Y*
- 1.95%
CALI
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 1.03%
- 6M
- 1.17%
- 1Y
- 2.86%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
MUB vs. CALI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 1.54% | 3.78% | 1.26% | 3.16% |
CALI iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | 1.03% | 3.28% | 2.84% | 1.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between MUB and CALI is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2023 | 0.46 |
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
MUB vs. CALI — Risk / Return Rank
MUB
CALI
MUB vs. CALI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) 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.
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.
| MUB | CALI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.92 | -0.44 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.37 | 4.37 | -2.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.25 | 22.29 | -14.04 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
MUB vs. CALI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MUB drawdown since its inception was -13.68%, which is greater than CALI's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUB and CALI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MUB | CALI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.68% | -0.78% | -12.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.79% | -0.67% | -2.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.34% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.88% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.68% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.40% | -0.01% | -0.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.23% | -0.08% | -2.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.80% | 0.13% | +0.67% |
Volatility
MUB vs. CALI - Volatility Comparison
iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) has a higher volatility of 0.78% compared to iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF (CALI) at 0.19%. This indicates that MUB'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MUB | CALI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.78% | 0.19% | +0.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.27% | 0.52% | +1.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.88% | 0.75% | +2.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.07% | 1.10% | +2.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.92% | 1.10% | +3.82% |
MUB vs. CALI - Expense Ratio Comparison
MUB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than CALI's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
MUB vs. CALI - Dividend Comparison
MUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than CALI's 2.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% |
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
MUB and CALI have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MUB has higher volatility (0.78%) compared to CALI (0.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MUB dropped -13.68% vs CALI's -0.78%.
On 1-year performance, MUB leads with 6.59% vs 2.86% for CALI. On fees, MUB is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, CALI has been the lower-risk option at 0.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MUB has performed better with a 6.59% return vs 2.86%. 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 0.08% for CALI.
MUB has the higher dividend yield at 3.17%, compared with 2.52% for CALI.
MUB tracks S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while CALI tracks ICE AMT-Free California Municipal Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for MUB and 0.08% for CALI.
CALI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.90 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.
Find the right allocation for MUB and CALI
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